“We will be planting a Magnolia on Friday for Schools Tree Day,” Milton Primary School Principal Mark Thomson said. 

“Then we have 28 classes who will all be planting a tree during the month of August.

“Each of those classes will have a tree or a shrub to select from and will be planting those at different sites around the school.

This year Planet Ark is celebrating 20 years of National Tree Day and Schools Tree Day. 

Combining to make Australia's largest community tree-planting and nature care event.

The Tree Day events are an opportunity for schools and residents to engage and do something positive for the local environment, community and to reconnect with nature.

“It gives the children a really practical sense of caring for our environment,” Mr Thomson said. 

”It teaches them the responsibility of being a part of the community and to have some respect for the environment.”

National Tree Day started in 1996 and since then more than 3.8 million people have planted 22.3 million trees and plants and it's still growing.

“The children are quite excited about planting the trees,” Mr Thomson said. 

“I think it will carry on as the grow into adults and they come back and see the trees and how they have grown. 

“It’s a great project as it will continue to grow and provide throughout the generations.”

The National Tree Day events are important for all Australians to help out by planting and caring for native trees and shrubs to improve the environment in which they live. 

“We are committed to planting a tree each year as a part of Tree Day and as trees need replacing we will replace them on tree day each year,” Mr Thomson said.