Communities teaming up with local businesses to nurture green spaces
By Emma Lucey 12 February 2024
We're well and truly into 2024, so we’d like to highlight some inspiring initiatives undertaken by a few of the Toyota dealerships embracing National Tree Day over the past year. We’ve loved seeing the impact that can be made when communities - including local schools, groups and businesses - band together to green local areas.
In Queensland, Motorama Toyota Browns Plains unveiled a Hilux tray they’ve converted into a planting bed. This year, with the help of their local community, they planted tomatoes, thyme, basil, rosemary, dill, chives, parsley, oregano, lemon, limes and strawberries. The tray also features new artwork resembling eucalypt bark and a QR code linked to staff recipes that utilise the plants growing inside.
Terry Shields Toyota (NSW) joined forces with rugby league coach of the Parramatta Eels, Brad Arthur, to surprise local students at St Patrick's Primary School and plant seedlings in the school’s garden.
In Wyoming (NSW) Brian Hilton Toyota delivered around 300 native seedlings to schools across the Central Coast. The O.L.R Catholic School in Wyoming expressed their gratitude for the dealership’s support; “[This] thoughtful contribution of trees, hats, and gloves has added a beautiful touch of green to our school playground, creating a greener and more vibrant environment for our students. Our students were thrilled to participate in the tree planting and gardening activities, learning valuable lessons about the importance of caring for our planet and nurturing nature.”
The team at Adelaide Hills Toyota have been actively participating in National Tree Day for over a decade! In 2023 they joined forces with Cornerstone College Mt Barker in South Australia to get their hands dirty and make a positive impact on their community. “It was excellent to see so many people eager to get involved and make a difference”.
Over in Homebush (NSW) 270 volunteers turned up at the Strathfield Council planting assisted by Phil Gilbert Toyota. Together they managed to plant 3000 seedlings to transform Ismay Reserve into a ‘flourishing haven’.
If you’d like to get involved in National Tree Day this year, just know it's never too early to begin planning! Mark your calendars for 2024:
Schools Tree Day – Friday 26 July
National Tree Day – Sunday 28 July
Talk to your nearest Toyota Dealer to find out if they are participating in Tree Day and if they can help with your site. Host a planting in your community or find a site near you.
Emma brings experience in digital media and communications with a background in several industries such as tourism and hospitality. Prior to joining Planet Ark in 2022, Emma spent 5 years living abroad in London & Amsterdam where she developed a greater interest in the environment and sustainability. Outside of work Emma enjoys gardening, camping and crocheting.
