Crows players got their hands dirty this week, helping to plant trees ahead of National Tree Day.
Players traded their footballs for gardening gloves and shovels to help Toyota and Planet Ark plant the 20 millionth seedling since the initiative began 14 years ago.
National Tree Day, which will take place on Sunday, July 28, and Schools Tree Day (Friday, July 26) have helped reforest, revegetate and maintain close to 40,000 sites across the country. The initiative has been responsible for the planting of more than 18.6 million native trees, grasses and shrubs by approximately 3 million volunteers since 2000.
Adelaide captain Nathan van Berlo said it was a wonderful community program to get behind.
“Planting a tree is such an easy way to make a positive impact on the environment and our community,” van Berlo said.
“To get outside and grow and help make nature part of everyday life. If we volunteer today we’ll help preserve the environment for generations to come.”
The building site for the Leukaemia Foundation Village was the location for the significant environmental cause, with players teaming up with children living with Leukaemia.
The Leukaemia Foundation has received a grant of $75,000 from the Crows Foundation – the official charity arm of the Adelaide Football Club. Another $65,000 was raised for the Leukaemia Foundation by injured forward Taylor Walker, who shaved his mullet as part of the Greatest Shave initiative.
The Leukaemia Foundation's new $9 million South Australian accommodation and support centre is due for completion in mid-October. The facility will be purpose-built and designed to meet the specific needs of Leukaemia patients, as well as provide them with access to innovative services and facilities. In short, patients and their families will be provided with a comprehensive blood cancer support facility.
For more information, please visit www.crowsfoundation.org.au.
How can you get involved?
As part of its global commitment to sustainability, Toyota has sponsored Planet Ark’s National Tree Day since 2000.
Planet Ark is calling on all Australians to get involved for the environment, their community and themselves. The community can get involved by attending a public site run by a council or Landcare group. Alternatively, for the first time this year individuals can organise their own personal activity in their garden or balcony or even on a local nature strip if local council allows.
Locals can get involved in National Tree Day by visiting Treeday.planetark.org or by contacting their local Toyota dealership. National Tree Day is this Sunday, 28 July and Schools Tree Day is Friday, 26 July, but events can be held on any date during the year.
