Canon has generously awarded $2,000 prizes to four schools and community groups across Australia for their recent Schools Tree Day planting efforts.
Kitchener Road TAFE Childcare Centre in Ascot, QLD, North Ryde Community Preschool Centre, NSW, Patches Beach Dunecare Group, NSW and Cranbrook Primary School, WA, were the lucky recipients drawn from a pool of thousands of schools and childcare centres involved in the day.
More than 2,500 schools and community groups throughout Australia take part in Schools Tree Day each year as part of Australia’s largest community tree-planting and nature care event. Students learn how to plant and care for the seedlings they grow, engaging in a fun, hands-on activity that can reinforce their environmental, maths, science and creative arts learning or simply contribute to creating beautiful school grounds and learning areas.
An independent survey commissioned recently by Planet Ark found that many Australian parents consider natural school grounds with real grass, trees and gardens to be as important as good academic outcomes and reputation when selecting their child’s school.
Canon also supported Planet Ark's National Tree Day by celebrating with its employees. Kicking off the planting for Tree Day celebrations at Canon headquarters was Taz Nakamasu, managing director of Canon Australia, joined by enthusiastic employees who stepped outside to find a patch of soil for their young seedlings.
Canon is championing Planet Ark’s aim to provide all Australians with an opportunity to do something positive for the environment and reconnect with nature.
“At Canon, we are dedicated to supporting both our local community groups and the environment, and National Tree Day is great campaign that we are thrilled to be supporting,” said Ian Flemington, general manager HR and Communications, Canon.
Although Schools Tree Day was officially celebrated in July, teachers can register a site for any day of the year, and the activity will be included into the Schools Tree Day national results.
Schools Tree Day is organised by Planet Ark in partnership with Toyota and its Dealer Network, which provides on the ground support at local community tree planting sites Australia-wide.