Call-to-action for Australians to get hands dirty and plant more trees on National Tree Day

The call-to-action comes with new research showing that eight out of ten Australians agree that planting trees is an important part of creating a more sustainable future.

Planet Ark co-CEO Rebecca Gilling said the results clearly showed Australians wanted to have a positive impact on the environment.

"One of the simplest things we can do to support nature is to plant a tree," she said.

"With that one small action you can help cool the climate, provide homes for native wildlife, and make your community a better place to live."

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The Wollondilly River Walking Track in Goulburn was one site to receive a 'makeover' on National Tree Day.

Nestled under the railway bridge near Riversdale, those young and old spent their Sunday planting native trees.

Goulburn Mulwaree Council parks coordinator Chris Toole said the trees were planted as part of a wider project removing willows along the river.

"We're planting native trees to help restore the areas the willows are removed from and to increase biodiversity," he said.

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The research, which was conducted on behalf of Planet Ark by Pollinate as part of The Pulse survey, also showed that the majority (81 per cent) of respondents believed spending time in nature was good for physical and psychological wellbeing.

69 per cent of respondents also agreed that spending time in nature increased their desire to protect the natural environment.

National Tree Day is an initiative organised by Planet Ark in partnership with major sponsor Toyota Australia and its Dealer Network.

This year, Planet Ark and Toyota have also teamed up with the AFL to plant a tree for every point scored during rounds 17-19, an estimated 4500 trees.

The trees will be donated through Planet Ark's Seedling Bank, to grow a Footy Forest across Australia.

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