The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys will today kick off a big week of activities around this Sunday’s National Tree Day, proudly sponsored by Toyota, with community tree planting and a special green message in their Round 21 match against the Panthers.

National Tree Day began in 1996 and has been sponsored by Toyota for 11 years, growing to become Australia’s biggest community tree-planting event.

Activities begin today with Cowboy Steve Southern attending School's National Tree Day, supported by Townsville City Council, at Townsville Central Primary School at 9.30am.

Southern will talk to the primary school students on assembly about the importance of planting native trees, and then participate in a tree planting session at the school.

The Toyota Cowboys will then show their support for this important environmental cause by wearing green socks when they play the Penrith Panthers this Friday night at CUA Stadium.

The socks will make a striking contrast to their white, blue and red away jerseys and will be a strong symbol of the club’s support of principal sponsor Toyota’s ongoing commitment to preserving the environment.

Toyota helps to spread the message about the importance of getting involved in Planet Ark’s National Tree Day, with corporate support of events like this having an immediate, positive impact on our environment.

This Sunday will see Toyota National Tree Day ambassador Johnathan Thurston don his gardening gloves to be part of Townsville City Council’s National Tree Day community planting.

JT will be at the Booroona Trail in Rasmussen for the planting of native trees and shrubs, and the Cowboys captain is encouraging the community to come along to assist.

“Life is better with trees so we need the community to get behind us and give us a hand this Sunday,” he said.

“It will be a great day out for the whole family and we need as many hands out there to get these trees in the ground.

“I’m looking forward to getting my hands dirty for a good cause and making a difference to Townsville’s environment and sustainability.

“National Tree Day is a fun and simple way to make a positive impact on our local environment and provide much-needed homes and nutrition to our local wildlife.”

The community tree planting will be held on Sunday 1 August, 9am-12pm, at the Booroona Trail, Rassmussen (off Riverway Drive between Loam Island recreation centre and Apex Park).

For more information on National Tree Day, visit http://treeday.planetark.org/