Success Stories

 

This map is for illustrative purposes only.

 

 

Green Capital

 

In 2008, RVCA planted 152,000 trees, bringing the overall total to 3.7 million since 1983. Since the year 2000, we have planted under the "Trees for Tomorrow"  program and the City of Ottawa's "Green Acres"  program. These are full-service reforestation programs planting trees throughout the City of Ottawa and the Rideau Valley watershed.  Our goal is to undertake environmental protection programs that will leave a healthy and sustainable environment for future generations.
 
Trees act like miniature environmental cleaning stations: the rootlets hold and consolidate the soil preventing erosion, the leaves absorb CO2 and store it in the wood reducing the effects of climate change, and also give off life-sustaining oxygen into the atmosphere.  Trees reduce domestic energy use by shielding houses from cold winter winds and shading houses against the hot summer sun.  Trees produce wood products like lumber and firewood and also provide shelter and habitat for wildlife and birds. Tree seedlings take a little tender loving care in the early years, but once they are "free-growing", they give us all of these advantages at virtually no cost to society for up to 80 years or more.

 

Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
Rideau

 

 

 

Ganaraska Tradition

The Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority has a long history of tree planting. In the 1940's and with recommendations from The Ganaraska Report authored by A.H. Richardson, millions of trees were planted on the Oak Ridges Moraine.  This large-scale restoration project resulted in the Ganaraska Forest, the largest continuous forest in Southern Ontario.  
 
Today the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority not only sustainably manages the Ganaraska Forest, but also plants thousands of trees each year for private landowners.  In 2008, 35,000 trees were planted within the region on public and private lands.    
 
For more information on how you can become involved in continuing the tradition of planting trees in the Ganaraska Region please contact the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority or visit www.grca.on.ca.

 

Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority
Port Hope

 

 

 

Tree Planting Success in Southwest Middlesex!

 

 

Tree planting crew at Ekcoe Central Public School.

Over the past few months Southwest Middlesex and their partners have planted 799 trees through various means.  Ten trees were planted at local parks (McArthur Park and Wardsville Little Kin), twelve were donated and planted at local schools through the Communities in Bloom Program, forty-five were given out to citizens of Southwest Middlesex through the free tree program and one hundred and thirty trees were supplied through the Communities in Bloom roadside tree program.  The local Scouts were responsible for the planting of 602 trees at Big Bend Conservation Area within the past year in partnership with the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority.  Communities in Bloom and the municipality plan to continue their tree planting initiatives each year through the free tree program, the roadside tree program and by providing the local schools with free trees.  Every tree helps.

 

Gerald Reycraft
Municipality of Southwest Middlesex 

 

 

 

 

A New Rotary Forest in Guelph

 
 
The Rotary Club of Guelph aims to increase the urban tree canopy cover in Guelph to 40%. In part this objective will be reached by creating a new forest, the Rotary Forest, on a 40-ha site owned by the GRCA.
 
To achieve the 40% by 2020 about 24,000 trees need to be planted annually, including 5,000 in the Rotary Forest.  A major portion of the planting in the Rotary Forest will be done by the citizens of Guelph and surrounding areas on Guelph Earth Day. 

 
In 2008, the first Guelph Earth Day took place on April 26.  About 600 people attended and participated with over 1,800 trees being planted on the day of the Event. During the four week period, April 15, 2008 to May 15, 2008  6,000 trees were planted at our Rotary Forest Site at Guelph Lake with approximately one third being planted on the day of our Event, one third by students and one third by GRCA staff.  The date of April 25 has been selected for 2009 and the location of the planting has been determined. It will be to the East of where we planted this year.

 

Jan

Guelph

 

 

  

Community Planting Day in Rockwood

 

Community tree planting day in Rockwood, Ontario on May 3rd, 2008. A combination of staff and volunteers planted 700 trees in Municipal Parkland.

 

Robin Milne

Manager of Parks and Recreation

Township of Guelph/Eramosa

Rockwood, Ontario

 

 

 

Chatham-Kent Greening Strategy

 

7000 seedlings were planted on a local landowner's property.

June of 2007 was an important date for environmentalists and landowners within the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.  Council members voted 100% to approve Tom Beaton's (Manager of Parks, Cemeteries and Horticulture) proposal for a C-K "Greening Strategy". This unique partnership involves the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority, Stewardship Kent, St. Clair Region Conservation Authority and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent to promote tree planting and restoration activities in the heart of the Carolinian Zone.  With one of the lower percentages of tree cover in the province, and the destruction of ash trees from the Emerald Ash Borer beetle, there is much work to be done in Chatham-Kent. In addition, Municipal woodlots will undergo management plans; the CFIA's (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) compensation dollars from the removal of ash trees will be spent on trees for the region, before the 2009 deadline. Other funds that were set aside from the chipping of ash trees from the Emerald Ash Borer Cut Zone will be spent on reforesting the region.
 
Two positions were also created to administer the program, assist landowners with projects, seek out funding sources and hold workshops for the general public.  While working with landowners is the main focus, the Greening Strategy is also going to be growing their own tree seedlings in a Municipal greenhouse with assistance from the Municipalities horticulturist, Bill Pachkowski. This will be based on the Trees for Tomorrow program that was initiated by Ron Thayer, from the Ministry of Natural Resources.  During the fall of 2006 tree seed was collected and stratified and this past spring over 1000 seedlings were successfully grown from local seed sources (such as Shumard Oak, American Sycamore, and Kentucky Coffee tree). With assistance from Community Living, local school groups and First Nations, the program is setting higher goals for  next year.  Trees produced from this program will be used for community projects.
 
Since the partnership's inception:

• A grant of $10,000 from the Evergreen Foundation and a grant of $2,500 from the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation were received from  proposals for a restoration project on LTVCA land.  Phase 1 has been completed and site preparation has already begun for phase 2 with a planting date of Spring 2008.
• Over 250,000 trees were planted in the LTVCA watershed  since Spring 2006, through such programs as EABRP and the Trees Ontario Foundation.
• Over 15 landowners participated in the EABRP (Emerald Ash Borer Response Program) which resulted in over 19 acres of land restored within the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, including Auto Liv Manufacturing in Tilbury, which hand planted over 2500 seedlings on Earth Day
• Over 4000 seedlings were planted in the Rondeau Bay Watershed 
• Fall 2007 has seen several wetland projects excavated through Stewardship Kent in partnership with the LTVCA providing the tree portion of the project.

The Greening Partnership does not restrict themselves to just tree plantings, historically there were wetlands, and Tall Grass Prairie found through out the region. Most recently we have partnered with the Maple Leaf Cemetary in Chatham and the Rondeau Bay Watershed Coalition, to plant approximately 5 acres of Tall Grass Prairie of the cemetery property, in the first stage of  a natural restoration project. The Lower Thames Conservation Authority has also agreed to plant 2 acres of  TGP at its McGregor Creek Diversion Channel property. Not only are agency partners getting involved but private individuals are as well, local businessman Pat Weaver has also planted approximately 1 acre in Tall Grass Prairie at his 6 acre restoration project. 

   
Randall Van Wagner
Chatham-Kent

 

 

 

Native Variety

 

My goal is to plant carolinian and/or native species in our yard.  This year we have planted Sugar Maple (2); Black Maple (2); Tulip Trees (3), White Pine (2), Bird Cherry (2), another cherry (2), Nakin Cherry (2) and Nootka cypress (1) (only non-native species); and Hop trees (2).  Two Cucumber trees (norfolk seed) are being delivered this weekend.  Have also planted spice bush, nanaberry, and native blueberry.  I am presently babying young cottonwoods, maples and red oaks that will be planted in the fall.

 

Kathy

St. Williams

 

 

 

Ecosystem Continues to Grow 

 

Ecosystem 2000 is an environmental project our school developed in 1994.  the students have planted a variety of species on our back property (22 acres) north of the Trans-Canada Trail to enhance the local ecosystems, enlarge the tree line and animal corridor.  To date, we have planted 15,000 species.

 

Video: http://www.mykawartha.com/media/videogallery/29186#videoArea

 

Scott Young Public School

Omemee

 

 

 

Watershed Improvements

Each year, the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority works with local landowners, our member municipalities, area businesses, and local environmental groups to plant native trees and shrubs on properties across the watershed.  These benefit the environment in a variety of ways: cleaning the air; enhancing wildlife habitat; storing carbon; providing protection from flooding; and improving the water of our rivers, streams, and Lake Simcoe.
 
In spring 2008, we planted over 58,500 trees with our partners.  These future forests will help to buffer our streams and rivers, expand and connect existing woodlots, and contribute to a healthy environment in the Lake Simcoe watershed for years to come.
 
Over the past 57 years, LSRCA has worked with area municipalities, private landowners, and others to plant over 3,000,000 trees and shrubs across the watershed.  Tree planting is one of the most popular program services that we offer to area landowners, and we expect the numbers planted to continue increasing as people continue to show their commitments to a greener, healthier future.

 

Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority

Lake Simcoe Watershed

 

 

 

Tribute to a Friend

 

About 50 people gathered to plant a red maple tree on our workplace grounds in memory of a colleague and friend who died in December.

 

Our colleague was from France and loved her adopted country, particularly walking through the fallen leaves on a beautiful autumn day in Ontario.

 

We collected money for the tree and had so much left over that we were able to make a substantial donation to the Canadian Cancer Society as well.

 

We’ll think of our friend whenever we walk past “her” tree.

 

 

 

 

‘Greening’ Essex Region

 

The Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) is striving to create a future of sustainability for the Essex Region.  Just this past spring, ERCA planted 170,000 native trees across the region in partnership with the local community.  ERCA annually plants between 150,000 and 225,000 trees through its spring and fall tree planting activities.  What’s more, this fall, ERCA will plant its five millionth tree!
 
We recognize that a healthy economy and the human health of our community is integrally linked with a healthy environment, and ERCA works diligently to create a healthier region.  While the United Nations identifies a minimum target of 12% natural areas coverage, in our region, currently merely 7.5% of its landbase remains in a natural state.  Indeed, the importance of tree planting and restoration cannot be overstated, and ERCA is committed to continuing to 'green' the Essex Region and create a healthier future for our children and grandchildren!

 

Danielle Stuebing

Essex Region Conservation Authority 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Great Green Team

 

Our school, Glynn A Green Public School, has a green team of 80 students. On Earth Day we planted 22 large trees (8 to 12 feet tall) on the school property. It was great. A number of parents, teachers and local business owners lent support. It was a great feeling and we hope to plant a lot more so the schoolgrounds become a place for everyone to enjoy and to help the environment. I look forward to seeing these trees grow as I grow up.

 

Edith

Fonthill

 

 

 

‘Greening up’ for Granny

 

My wife’s grandmother is turning 90 in June, and to celebrate how special she is to us, we planted 9 trees – one for each decade of her life.

 

We’re also expecting our first child this summer, and it will be nice to watch the trees grow as our baby grows.

 

Robert

Millbrook

 

 

 

 

Sowing The Seeds Of Success

 

Every tree in Ontario begins as a simple, tiny seed.  The Tree Seed Plant in Angus, Ontario processes and stores seeds that will create tomorrow’s forests.

Al Foley, manager of the facility, explains, “We collect seeds from about 50 native species of trees and woody shrubs, and maintain a seed bank from trees across the province to help with reforestation.  We sell our seeds to tree nurseries, large forestry companies, and the public.  Keeping the seed bank running, and selling the seeds ensures that Ontario’s forests are healthy and diverse, with lots of different species.” 

Established in 1923, the Tree Seed Facility is an impressive sight.  Al says, “We have billions of seeds stored in our seed bank.  The seeds are all different types and sizes, with Black Spruce the size of a grain of pepper, White Pine (Ontario’s provincial tree) the size of the head of a dressmaker’s pin, and some nut species as large as a golf ball.”

For more information, read about Ontario’s Tree Seed Facility or visit the MNR’s Forestry website.

 

Photography: Iowa State University

 

 

 

10,000 Trees for Junction Creek

 

Between May 2008 and September 2009, volunteers will plant 10,000 trees in the Junction Creek watershed in Sudbury, Ontario to help celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Junction Creek Stewardship Committee. The trees will help improve water quality by stabilizing creek banks and providing shade and cover. Since 1999, the Junction Creek Stewardship Committee has coordinated volunteer participation into many efforts, including the removal of more than 50,000 kg of garbage from the creek, brook trout reintroduction, shoreline stabilization and riparian planting.

 

The group has also undertaken a number of public awareness projects, including an educational water quality-monitoring program offered in local schools.

 
Carrie Regenstreif
Junction Creek Stewardship Committee
Sudbury

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

School shows stewardship

 

On May 1, 2008, 90 students from 2 elementary schools planted 2,300 trees at a landowners field in Tamworth, Ontario. It was a beautiful day for the students, staff members, the landowner and Lennox & Addington County Stewardship Council staff to plant.

 

J.J.O’Neill Catholic School has been planting trees, in and around its community, for almost 10 years.  The school realizes the importance of stewardship and the reduction of our footprint for the health of the planet.

 

We are looking forward to next year as a new group of students will again rise to the challenge of the plant!

 

Mary-Frances McGuire
J.J.O’Neill Catholic School
Napanee, ON

 

 

 

Planting a Tree to Celebrate Life

 

When our first grandchild was born, we wanted to do something special to mark the occasion.  After some debate and discussion, we decided that planting a tree would be a wonderful way to celebrate this new life.

 

Since then, with every new grandchild, we have planted another tree.  Our back yard is beginning to look like a miniature forest!!  As our grandchildren get older, they love to know which tree is ‘theirs’, and every time they visit they run outside to check the progress of their special tree.

 

This spring we planted a tree for the newest member of our family, and we look forward to watching it grow and become stronger as she does. 

 

Planting a tree to celebrate a new grandchild is now a family tradition.  We also know we’re helping to fight climate change and make our backyard more beautiful at the same time!

 

John

Lakefield

 

 

 

Outdoor education gets hands-on

 

Tree planting is one of the community green-up initiatives that the Lakefield District Secondary School Grade 9 Geoventure Outdoor Education program participates in.  It is a highlight for the students each spring to get outside, get their hands dirty, and plant pines, spruces, and cedars.  We recently helped to plant 5,000 trees on unused farm land in Millbrook.

 

Our Geoventure program is an integration of geography and physical education and tree planting which gives students an experience in which they demonstrate the expectations of Ontario Ministry of Education curriculum. Moreover, as one student recently exclaimed, "The trees will still be here providing food, habitat, and oxygen when we're gone and that makes me feel really proud about what we're doing!"

 

As a class and as a school, we are committed to initiatives such as this that improve our community and environment and inspire our students.

 

Jon Grimwood
Outdoor Education Teacher
Lakefield District Secondary School
Lakefield, Ontario