2 May 2002

Starting this Sunday, Aucklanders will aim to plant over 75,000 trees in regional parks this year, doing their bit for the environment – and having a day out at the same time.

“We are inviting volunteers to swell numbers beyond the 1000 who helped in similar plantings last year,” Auckland Regional Council Parks and Heritage Committee Chairman Bill Burrill says.

“The ARC started planting trees in Auckland regional parks in 1964. Since then well over 1.2 million trees have been planted – one tree for every Aucklander,” Cr Burrill says.

The tree planting days follow the ARC’s recent launch of The Big Clean Up campaign, helping Aucklanders take simple steps to improve the environment.

“While we are urging people to ‘create a park in their own backyard’ by planting natives and composting garden waste, we’d love to see people helping out in the regional parks as well, Cr Burrill says.

“Parks are the green lungs in any large city, and the tree planting days not only make the environment look better, but also help improve the region’s air quality.

“The ARC can’t do this alone – we need to work together with Auckland’s 1.2 million citizens to make our region a place we all love to live,” he says.

The first planting days are to be held on Sunday 5 May (10am – 3pm), at Tawharanui and Mutukaroa (Hamlin’s Hill) Regional Parks. Volunteers for the Motokaroa tree planting, which is also supported by Auckland City, should meet at the Tetra Pak carpark, Pacific Rise (off Sylvia Park Rd) Mt Wellington.

Planting days are also being held at Long Bay, Scandrett, Ambury, and Shakespear Regional Parks during May.

Volunteers are asked to bring a spade, gloves, strong footwear, warm clothing, wet weather gear and drinking water. Refreshments and a barbecue lunch will be provided.

For more easy ways to help improve and enjoy Auckland’s environment, join in The Big Clean Up - call 0800 JOIN IN or visit www.arc.govt.nz. For more information on the tree planting days, please call Parksline on 303 1530.

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