Every Schools Tree Day for the past seven years, pupils have planted native trees along the Yarrowee Creek in Ballarat East.

The school’s sustainability coordinator Dan Pollard can now point to mature trees as having grown from the school’s seedlings.

“It’s about improving the local environment and having some community involvement,” Mr Pollard said.

St Alipius also takes part in Water Watch in the Yarrowee Creek for the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority.

“It’s also about promoting volunteerism among our students.”

“Schools Tree Day has the benefits of both growing trees and getting the kids out into nature.”

Three groups of grade one and two pupils attended on Wednesday morning to plant trees, aided by Ballarat City Council lakes, waterways and trails workers.

Pupils Jed, 8, and Jessica, 7, both said they planted native trees, including eucalypts.

“It’s to help the environment grow,” Jed said.

“Me and my friend planted a spiky tree,” Jessica added.

Ballarat City Council lakes, waterway and trails officer John Kerr said the tree planting was part of an ongoing schools program.

“We prepare the sites, demonstrate the planting and talk about the importance of indigenous trees going back into the environment,” Mr Kerr said.

“It’s good to have the schools involved. We’re planting eucalypts and mixed native grasses.”

Mt Clear Primary School also took part in the day for the third time.

In partnership with Fifteen Trees, they have planted more than 500 trees in the school grounds over the past three years.

This year’s trees were supplied by Brian and Maree Harrison of Harrison’s Funerals, with each class planting a tree.

Planet Ark’s National Tree Day and Schools Tree Day started in 1996 and, since then, more than 3.8 million people have planted 22.3 million trees and plants.

A community National Tree Day will be held in Ballarat on Sunday at the Yarrowee Creek, at the end of Ingles Street, Mount Pleasant.

It will begin at 10am and end at noon, with free kids activities and lunch. Please bring gloves, sturdy footwear and warm clothes.