One Tree Per Child / National Tree Day
Planting a tree is often a child’s first act of volunteering for the benefit of our entire community. Let’s leave the municipality in better condition than what we inherited. Let’s plant a tree for every child and enjoy watching the plants grow as our children grow!
One Tree Per Child
One Tree Per Child is a global initiative founded by Olivia Newton-John and Jon Dee, who also founded the highly successful National Tree Day Program.
In 2017 Greater Shepparton City Council committed to the One Tree Per Child Program and great outcomes have been celebrated from the project each year.
Although called One Tree Per Child, the species planted under the project in Greater Shepparton include indigenous trees, shrubs, groundcovers and grasses that have largely been cleared from our region.
Each year the Greater Shepparton City Council facilitates a native plant to be planted for each child (person aged under 18 years), done via the One Tree Per Child program and National Tree Day.
This planting target could only be achieved through partnerships with many schools, kindergartens, childcare centres, Landcare and community groups.
In 2024 a total of 54 different species of trees, shrubs, groundcovers and grasses were planted to help restore a diverse range of flora species to provide habitat for woodland birds and other native fauna species.
Learn more about the global One Tree Per Child program
Get Involved in 2025
The One Tree Per Child planting season occurs between 1 May and 31 August each year (depending on the weather). Schools, businesses and community groups are invited to take part by submitting an Expression Of Interest (EOI) or emailing onetreeperchild@shepparton.vic.gov.au.
Expressions of interest for 2025 are now closed.
Please watch this space for next year’s EOIs to be published.
National Tree Day
Planet Ark's National Tree Day started in 1996 and has grown into Australia's largest community tree planting and nature care event. It's a call to action for all Australians to get their hands dirty and give back to the community.
Greater Shepparton began participating in National Tree Day in 2000, only four years after the program’s launch in 1996. Since that time, the partnership between Council and the community has seen thousands of native plants planted. Last year alone, 1,440 plants were planted by 192 community members at Yakka Basin Reserve.
Revegetation within the urban area has many benefits, including creating habitat for native animals, improving the aesthetics of the area, assisting with wellbeing of residents and visitors, and generally enhancing biodiversity.
While every day can be Tree Day, we dedicate the celebration National Tree Day on the last Sunday in July.
Learn more about National Tree Day
Get Involved in 2025
Greater Shepparton City Council invites residents to join the celebration, connect with nature and grow together at this year’s National Tree Day event on Sunday 27 July 2025.
The 2025 celebration will take place on Chivalry Drive, Mooroopna on Sunday 27 July from 10am to 12pm. Council staff and dedicated volunteers will be on hand to guide participants throughout the morning. All necessary materials, including plants, stakes, guards, mats, gloves, and tools will be provided.
Attendees will be able to enjoy a free BBQ, as well as the opportunity to purchase hot drinks from a coffee van. There will also be native plant give-aways on the day.