Kempsey Shire Council has donated trees to each of the 43 schools, preschools and day-care centres in the shire to mark National Tree Day.
Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, no public events such as a community tree planting day or Council's usual tree giveaway in the courtyard could be held this year.
However, Council's commitment to environmental initiatives saw the donation of fruit trees to local schools to encourage them to take part in National School Tree Day on Friday 31 July.
Council's Coordinator Civic Services, Katy Rogan, said the rest of the community can still acknowledge National Tree Day on Sunday 2 August by planting in their back yard or vegetable patches where possible.
"COVID-19 has been a challenging time with many of us feeling the effects mentally with needing to stay home a lot more," she said.
"National Tree Day is a great opportunity to get outside and away from screens and the confines of the home. We encourage everyone to plant some trees or herbs, reconnect with nature and educate yourself or your children about the benefits of giving back to the environment."
National Tree Day was co-founded by Planet Ark and Olivia Newton-John in 1996 and has become Australia's largest tree-planting and environmental education event. It's a call to action for all Australians to put their hands in the earth and give back to their community.
