1,500 native tree seedlings were planted this fall as part of the ongoing restoration of a gravel pit in Selwyn Township in partnership with NEFAB Canada, Selwyn Township, One Tree Planted, Caterpillar, students from the Youth Leadership in Sustainability Program (YLS) from KPRDSB and Otonabee Conservation.
Students from the YLS program planted 300 trees, employees from NEFAB Canada Peterborough planted 900, with employees from Selwyn Township and Otonabee Conservation putting the remaining 300 in the ground. A variety of native species of tree seedlings were selected for the site including White Pine, Red Pine, White Cedar, and White Spruce, which will restore the site and enhance habitat for local wildlife.
“We are pleased to be working in partnership with Otonabee Conservation on this restoration project, and excited to plant 1,500 trees at the site this year,” said Mike Richardson, from Selwyn Township.
“NEFAB is deeply committed to sustainable initiatives, and we are thrilled to partner with Otonabee Conservation to plant trees as part of our commitment towards building a better tomorrow,” said Lindsay Richards from NEFAB Canada, “This tree planting project is particularly exciting to us since it promotes our employees’ passion for environmental causes along with our commitment to maintaining and improving the environment and the communities where we do business.”
“Planting trees will not only help clean the air we breathe and provide crucial shade, but will also support communities with natural disaster recovery, workforce and economic independence, and educational opportunities,” said Asha Varghese, President of the Caterpillar Foundation, “Through the Caterpillar Foundation, we are doing that on a global scale by addressing natural and economic infrastructure and working to restore local ecosystems to be stronger, more resilient, and more sustainable.”
“Environmental restoration and community engagement go hand-in-hand, and we’re honored to support this initiative to not only plant trees but also have an educational opportunity for young people to learn about local ecology,” said Diana Chaplin, Canopy Director at One Tree Planted.
For further information, please contact:
Meredith Carter | Manager, Watershed Management Program
Otonabee Conservation
705-745-5791 ext. 223 | mcarter@otonabeeconservation.com