MOTHER AND SON: Jace and Suzanne Hindmarsh help plant a tree. Photo: Robert Chappel 290712RCA003
HUNDREDS of green-thumbed community volunteers turned up at Tamworth parks yesterday to take part in annual National Tree Day activities.
Since 1996, when Planet Ark first launched the national day, more than 2.8 million participants have planted 17 million native trees, shrubs and grasses, with 250,000 expected to help out this year.
Throughout the city, Tamworth Regional Council registered more than 20 schools and groups taking part in plantings at several sites.
National Tree Day events were yesterday held at Loomberah Hall, Kingswood Park, Altona park in South Tamworth, the Peel River levee bank cycle park at Kable Ave, Warrah Park and Village Park at Calala from 9am to 11am.
At the Village Park tree planting, Rotary Tamworth on Peel was undertaking work with volunteers as part of an ongoing "beautification" of the facility.
About 200 freshly planted native trees were scattered across the playground and around the newly concreted footpath.
Former club president and the co-ordinator of the park project, John Robinson, said about 100 people turned up and helped out yesterday.
Mr Robinson said the club started the project two-and-a-half years ago and that the fundraising from local market days and sponsorships for trees now totalled more than$12,000.
He said locals had already planned to come and do some watering every now and then.
Nineteen local schools took part in the tree plantings on Friday, while the Kootingal Community Development Committee will do its planting in Garden St later in August, when frosts are less likely.
The Tamworth Urban Landcare Group planted about 200 tress along the Peel River.
