Thanks to the efforts of over 50 volunteers, 150 new trees and shrubs were planted on Saturday, September 15th along the Station Trail in Millbrook as part of TD Tree Days events.
The trees and shrubs planted along the trail will support natural diversity and wildlife habitat. The native species planted include Eastern White Cedar, White Spruce, White Birch, Trembling Aspen and Red Osier Dogwood. Otonabee Conservation staff were on site to provide technical support and share information about the value of trees within the natural environment.
As Meredith Carter, Manager of Watershed Management programs for Otonabee Conservation, explained, “The planting of trees provides countless benefits from filtering the air we breathe, to regulating temperatures and providing shelter to wildlife. Trees also have a tremendous capacity to capture carbon dioxide, mitigating climate change.”
“Today’s TD Tree Days event supports the bank’s Ready Commitment and its target to help plant 1 million trees by 2030 in communities across the country,” explained Stephanie Tompkins, Branch Manager and volunteer Site Leader TD Bank Group. Tompkins pointed out that the more than 300,000 trees that TD Tree Days has planted since 2010 have absorbed roughly 5,768 tonnes of CO2 – equal to the emissions released from 1,235 passenger vehicles in just one year. And, as the trees grow and mature overtime, the amount of carbon they absorb each year will increase.
“The day was a great success”, stated Tompkins. “TD and community volunteers had a great time and did an amazing job, which speaks well of the commitment of TD staff, their families and municipal support from the Township of Cavan Monaghan to improving the local environment and enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities through TD Tree Days events.”
About TD Tree Days
For eight years, TD Tree Days has helped build healthy and vibrant communities by facilitating the planting of over 300,000 native trees and shrubs across the country. This year, TD launched The Ready Commitment – a multi-year initiative to open doors for a more inclusive and sustainable tomorrow. TD Tree Days is joining this commitment by growing and enhancing green spaces and helping to bring more people together through the outdoors.
For more information on TD Tree Days, please visit www.tdtreedays.com