Thinking about Trees

Anna Bowden | July 26, 2010

 

I came to my job as the project manager for National Tree Day by a rather sideways route after marketing green products and administering a brand licensing program for Planet Ark.

 

Although a committed “greenie” I came from a business and marketing background and was more focused on ways to leverage the consumer dollar to bring about environmental change. And so I found myself faced with a different challenge; how to generate a change in attitude & behaviour towards the natural world and trees in particular.

 

The evidence on our need to change behaviour is overwhelming, with unprecedented losses of native animals, and damage to biodiversity.

Broadscale clearing of native bushland is one of the greatest threats to the survival of plant and animal species in Australia.

 

And then there are trees themselves, these amazing silent guardians of our planet; with the power to create clean air, feed and shelter wildlife and store carbon as well as simply being things of beauty and peace. Trees are surely our silver bullet solution to climate change yet by no means are trees a top line issue in our towns and cities.

 

Planet Ark’s Tree Day works in the consumer space: we don’t lobby political groups or peak industry bodies, or involve ourselves in industry based education. Our success is measured in numbers of volunteers and trees planted and something that is also harder for us to measure – a change in attitude that results in native trees and plants being left in the ground rather than cut down.

 

So what have we used to engage people on this issue?

 

The answer is multilayered. We have communicated messages around the role of trees in carbon capture, and created a very personal approach via our use of our “tree stories” website where people can reflect on special trees in their life. Our theme is “Life is better with Trees” which has enabled us to publicly explore the many ways that life is better with trees. We have developed engagement tools and resources for more schools to be involved and extend the breadth of their involvement. We plan to keep talking with those involved in the event and deepen the relationship and learning.

 

So if any of this strikes a chord with you, there are many ways to join in. Write a tree story, organise a tree planting activity or come along and get your hands dirty at one of your local tree planting sites.

 

National Tree Day is this Sunday 1st of August and life really is better with trees!

 

For more information visit treeday.planetark.org