National Tree Day
July 26
About National Tree Day
National Tree Day is Australia’s largest community tree-planting and nature care event, taking place on Sunday, 26 July 2026. Organised by environmental charity Planet Ark, it brings together hundreds of thousands of volunteers to plant native trees, shrubs and grasses across the country. Schools Tree Day, the dedicated school version of the event, falls on the preceding Friday, 24 July 2026.
What is National Tree Day?
National Tree Day is an annual nationwide campaign that encourages Australians to get outdoors and plant native species in parks, reserves, schoolyards and along waterways. Run by Planet Ark in partnership with major sponsor Toyota Australia and supported by local councils, Landcare groups and community organisations, the day combines practical conservation with environmental education. It is open to everyone, from individual families to large corporate teams, and planting sites are coordinated by local volunteers across every state and territory.
When is National Tree Day?
National Tree Day is held on the last Sunday of July each year. In 2026 this falls on Sunday, 26 July 2026, with Schools Tree Day taking place two days earlier on Friday, 24 July 2026. Because the date is tied to the final Sunday of the month rather than a fixed calendar date, it shifts slightly each year. Planet Ark encourages people to plant at any time of year, but the official focal point remains the last weekend of July, timed for Australia’s cooler, wetter winter planting conditions when young seedlings establish best.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday, 26 July |
| 2027 | Sunday, 25 July |
| 2028 | Sunday, 30 July |
| 2029 | Sunday, 29 July |
| 2030 | Sunday, 28 July |
Why National Tree Day Matters
Since its launch in 1996, National Tree Day has grown into one of the most successful grassroots environmental campaigns in Australian history. More than 28 million trees, shrubs and grasses have been planted through the programme, restoring degraded land, creating wildlife corridors and helping native species recover habitat lost to development and clearing. Around 300,000 people take part each year, making it a rare campaign that translates awareness directly into measurable ecological action.
Beyond the trees themselves, the day plays an important role in reconnecting people with nature. Planet Ark’s own research has repeatedly highlighted a decline in outdoor activity, particularly among children, and the campaign is designed as much to rebuild that relationship as to improve biodiversity. Healthy tree cover also delivers practical benefits: cooling urban areas, reducing erosion, improving air quality and capturing carbon, all of which matter as Australian communities adapt to a warming climate.
How to Get Involved in National Tree Day
There are many ways to take part, whether you have ten minutes or a whole weekend to give.
- Find a planting site near you – Planet Ark’s website lets you search by postcode for registered sites across Australia, so you can join an organised event close to home.
- Become a site coordinator – If there is no event in your area, you can register your own planting site and rally neighbours, friends or colleagues to help.
- Get your school involved – Schools Tree Day on 24 July 2026 offers classroom resources and planting activities that bring environmental learning to life for students.
- Plant at home – You do not need a large reserve to make a difference. Planting a native tree or shrub in your own garden supports local pollinators and birdlife.
- Volunteer your time – Even if you cannot host an event, turning up to dig, mulch and water at an existing site makes a real difference to its success.
- Rally your workplace – Corporate teams can register a group planting as a hands-on team-building day with lasting environmental value.
- Donate to the Seedling Bank – Launched by Planet Ark in 2019, the Seedling Bank funds trees for schools and community groups who need extra support to green their local spaces.
- Spread the word – Share the campaign on social media to encourage others in your network to register and plant.
History of National Tree Day
National Tree Day was founded in 1996 by Planet Ark, with the singer and conservationist Olivia Newton-John serving as a founding ambassador who helped launch the inaugural event. The idea was simple but ambitious: create a single national day on which Australians of all ages could come together to plant trees and reverse some of the damage caused by decades of land clearing.
From its first year the campaign captured the public imagination, and participation grew steadily as schools, councils and community groups adopted it as a fixture of the winter calendar. The decision to split the event into Schools Tree Day on the last Friday of July and the main National Tree Day on the last Sunday allowed both classrooms and the wider public to take part on their own terms. Long-term partnerships, most notably with Toyota Australia, gave the programme the stability and resources to expand year after year.
By the time the campaign marked its milestone anniversaries it had already overseen the planting of tens of millions of seedlings. The 28-million-plant figure reached in recent years stands as a testament to what consistent, organised community action can achieve over nearly three decades. Today National Tree Day is firmly established as Australia’s biggest community nature-care event and a model that has inspired similar initiatives around the world.
Noteworthy Facts About National Tree Day
- The first National Tree Day was held in 1996, making the 2026 event part of the campaign’s fourth decade.
- More than 28 million trees, shrubs and grasses have been planted through the programme since it began.
- Around 300,000 volunteers take part across Australia each year.
- Singer Olivia Newton-John was a founding ambassador for the very first event.
- Planet Ark created the Seedling Bank in 2019 to fund trees for schools and community groups most in need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Tree Day?
National Tree Day is Australia’s largest community tree-planting and nature care event, organised by Planet Ark. It encourages individuals, schools, businesses and community groups to plant native species and reconnect with the natural environment.
When is National Tree Day in 2026?
National Tree Day falls on Sunday, 26 July 2026. Schools Tree Day is held on Friday, 24 July 2026.
Who organises National Tree Day?
The event is run by Planet Ark, an Australian environmental charity, in partnership with major sponsor Toyota Australia and with support from local councils, Landcare groups and thousands of community volunteers.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing National Tree Day with your friends, family, and followers. Use the hashtags #NationalTreeDay and #NationalTreeDay2026 on social media. The more people who know about National Tree Day, the more trees get into the ground and the bigger the impact for Australia’s landscapes and wildlife.
Related Awareness Days
- World Environment Day – The United Nations’ flagship day for encouraging worldwide action to protect the natural world.
- World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought – Focuses on restoring degraded land and the importance of healthy soils and vegetation.
- International Day of the Tropics – Highlights the environmental and biodiversity challenges facing the world’s tropical regions.
Links
2026 Awareness Days Wall Planner
Every key awareness day at a glance. Perfect for offices, staff rooms, and team planning.
View Calendar →
