Celebrate Arbour Day & World Environment Day
Arbor Day marks the beginning of the planting season and a time to celebrate the unique biodiversity of our country. Arbor Day is about inspiring people to plant and celebrate trees.
The world’s first Arbor Day was held in Nebraska in 1872, and New Zealand celebrated Arbor Day for the first time in Greytown in 1890. Since 1977, New Zealand has celebrated Arbor Day on June 5, which is also World Environment Day,
To celebrate Arbor Day you could:
- Plant a tree in your backyard,
- Volunteer, join or start a community conservation project or…
- Simply head outdoors and relax at your local park or green space.
The Department of Conservation coordinate a range of community conservation projects for Arbor Day. These activities focus on ecological restoration projects using native plants to restore habitats that have been damaged or destroyed by humans or invasive pests and weeds. Visit www.doc.govt.nz for more information.
Tree hunts are a great way to engage the children in Arbor Day celebrations. Organise a ‘Biggest tree” or “oldest tree” search within your community. Once the results are in publish a booklet with a map that lists the locations of these and other notable trees. Share this with the community to create a local walking tour. Remember to take only photos and leave only footprints.
Another great way to celebrate is to choose a public park or green space that needs cleaning up and pitch in to clear the area of litter, Recycle what you can of the waste, then responsibly dump the rest. Ask local residents to help then end with a community BBQ. If people appreciate the space they’ll help keep it clean.
Start planning your Arbor Day activities now. For more information visit www.arborday.org
4-Jun-2014
In the Garden
