Local Tradition Deeply Rooted
Local Youth Plant 15,000 Trees
It is a spring tradition deeply rooted in the Otonabee region watershed community. Close to 800 local youth and private landowners, ready with spade in hand, planted 15,000 trees this Spring as part of the Trees Project of Otonabee Conservation and the Otonabee Conservation Foundation.
“The Trees Project is an environmental conservation and education program offered by the Conservation Authority in partnership with the Otonabee Conservation Foundation,” explains John Williams, Co-ordinator of Conservation Lands with Otonabee Conservation. “Trees form the foundations of many natural systems. The planting of trees slows down runoff to limit the effects of erosion and improves water quality; trees absorb CO² improving air quality and slowing global warming; and, tree planting preserves the biodiversity and natural habitat that characterize
communities across our watershed region.”
Scouts from the Kawartha Waterways Area along with students from Crestwood Secondary School, Lakefield College School, Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School, Adam Scott Collegiate, Kenner Collegiate and Lakefield District High School planted a variety of trees and shrubs on private properties, conservation land and school grounds. The trees and shrubs selected for each site match the soil type and drainage characteristics. The trees and shrubs planted, which are native to the area, include red oak, red pine, silver maple, eastern white cedar, white pine, white spruce, burr oak, wild raison, smooth arrowood and black chokeberry.
The 2007 Spring tree planting program is supported financially by the Otonabee Conservation Foundation, Trees Ontario Foundation, the Peterborough County Stewardship Council and private landowners.