Maitland people are being encouraged to get out in the garden for National Tree Day this weekend.
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Maitland City Council has handed out a total of 680 plants to schools in the area to decorate their playgrounds with, and will give out another 500 to residents on Friday.
At Telarah Public School, the plants will be used by each class to build their own gardens that they will look after themselves.
Telarah Public School teacher Gail Kriel, who teaches stage two, said she thought the tree donation was a great idea.
She said it will not only provide the students with extra shade but will teach them how to plant and care for the garden.
“It’s good responsibility for the children to take ownership of the garden,” she said.
A total of 10 public schools and two childcare centres from around the Maitland area have registered with Planet Ark to participate in the Schools Tree Day this Friday.
Council will also give away 500 seedlings to residents at Maitland Park on Friday.
Residents can collect seedlings between 10am-12.30pm, with a limit of four native shrubs or ground covers per household.
National Tree Day manager Debbie Agnew said that joining the nature campaign is an important way to branch out in the local community.
“Our research shows that Australian children are at risk of growing into an unhappy generation by living an inside lifestyle and being disconnected from the natural world,” Ms Agnew said.
“For every hour of outdoor recreational activity that Australians engage in, we spend seven hours in front of a screen.
“But the impacts of just adding nature are significant, including benefits to mental and physical health and wellbeing.
“In this digital age, Planet Ark is encouraging everyone to take 10 minutes each day outside and connect with nature.”
This year marks the 20 year anniversary of National Tree Day, which is Australia's largest community tree-planting and nature care event.
Last year nearly 300,000 people took part in National Tree Day at over 3,500 sites across the country. Over 1.2 million native trees, shrubs and edibles found a new home.
There are no public sites for National Tree Day in Maitland, with the nearest public site being Stevenson Park at Mayfield West.
People can get involved by registering a private site and plant in their own backyards, courtyards or balconies.
To register your site online visit treeday.planetark.org, or call the hotline on 1300 885 000.