One Tree Per Child Launched at Somerfield Reserve

The One Tree Per Child program was launched at Somerfield Reserve on Thursday 8 June, with more than 50 students from Keysborough Gardens Primary School.

One Tree per Child is an international initiative established by the co-founders of National Tree Day (Jon Dee and Olivia Newton John) which aims to get every child to plant at least one tree before they leave school. Since One Tree Per Child was launched, participating Australian councils and community groups have planted trees and shrubs in the hundreds of thousands.

The soft launch event was attended by Traditional Custodians and representatives for the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, Jillian West and Joshua West, Mayor Eden Foster, Cr Rhonda Garad and Junior Mayor Tasneem. Students enjoyed learning about local flora and fauna as well as getting their hands dirty planting 300 indigenous trees and shrubs at Somerfield Reserve.

The students enjoyed Traditional Ceremonies and planting activities and were rewarded for their hard work with a barbecue lunch. 

Students told us that it's important to plant trees because:

• Trees give us oxygen
• Planting is fun and good for the land
• Trees are good for the eco system
• Trees provide homes for animals

The One Tree Per Child program will continue in July with a larger event planned for National Tree Day for Schools on Friday 28 July, where it is anticipated that Grade 3 students from around 10 local schools will participate in a tree planting activity at Springvalley Reserve in Springvale South.

The program is open to all Primary Schools in the municipality and registrations are open until Friday 23 June.