We can use the day as a time to reflect on the beauty and wonder of trees, and how fortunate we are to live in a city where we have magnificent trees in abundance.

We also need to consider how important trees are to all life on Earth. Trees supply us with the air that we breathe. They are essential in maintaining a stable climate. They form the backbone of our forests. They provide habitat for a myriad of species and ecosystems, many of which are yet to be discovered.

National Tree Day would normally be celebrated by a community planting organised by Orange City Council.

Unfortunately this year it is not possible to conduct such an event due to COVID-19 restrictions.

However, we can still commemorate the day with individual activities that can make a difference to the environment, ourselves, our loved ones and the future.

This year's National Tree Day theme is regeneration. Regeneration has seldom been more relevant to Australia's environment, its people and its future than 2020.

Many of Australia's trees and forests have been devastated by this year's bushfires and drought.

We can all make a difference on Sunday by simply planting a tree in our backyard.

If each of us did this, as a community we could make a difference in compensating for the massive loss of trees in our landscape.

Another thing we can all do on Sunday is to visit our favourite tree and give it a hug.

As a special gesture send a photo of your experience to those loved ones who may have been separated due to pandemic restrictions.

Connection with the natural world and loved ones can help us regenerate and deal with the health impacts of the last 12 months.

The evidence shows that connection with nature by hugging a tree and sharing your experience with loved ones will make you feel better.

We need to build a post COVID-19 recovery that aims for a brighter, greener and more resilient future.

It is becoming increasingly evident that this future needs to be one where we are better connected to nature than is currently the case.

National Tree day is a good time to think about this and what we can do to help it happen.