Otonabee Conservation and students from Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School planted native trees to help revitalize Clintonia Park in the Township of Douro-Dummer.
Today, 30 students from the Outdoor Leadership program at Thomas A. Stewart Secondar School (TASS) planted 64 red osier dogwood, fragrant sumac, and potentilla shrubs at Clintonia Park, which is located near Parkhill Road East and Television Road, in the Township of Douro-Dummer. An additional 17 trees were also planted at the park, including white spruce, hackberry, honey locust, freeman maple, and serviceberry.
Native species of trees and shrubs were planted to increase diversity and habitat, protect water quality, and stabilize the shoreline along a tributary of Curtis Creek, which runs through the park.
“This project is part of the overall revitalization of Clintonia Park,” shared Elana Arthurs, CAO at the Township of Douro-Dummer, “We are excited to work with so many partners to plant trees and shrubs that will benefit wildlife, naturalize the park, and enhance the Donwood area.”
These fall plantings are made possible with funding and collaboration from Tree Canada, U-Haul, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, Township of Douro-Dummer, students from TASS Outdoor Leadership Program (KPRDSB) and Otonabee Conservation.
“Community engagement and support is key to the success of stewardship projects like this,” explained Dan Marinigh, CAO/Secretary-Treasurer at Otonabee Conservation, “We are committed to creating a greener environment across the watershed and planting trees is one way we can locally adapt to climate change. When the community and our corporate partners collaborate to plant trees, we all benefit.”
Planting activities are also planned for Victoria Park in the City of Peterborough and Douro-South Park in the Township of Douro-Dummer, later in October.
“U-Haul Canada is honored to play a part in the three October tree-planting events at Clintonia, Victoria, and Douro South Parks,” explained Antony Grocott, Marketing Company President of U-Haul Ontario, “As a Tree Canada Gold Level Sponsor, U-Haul is excited for the continued greening of the beautiful Peterborough-area and the generations of families here who will enjoy the benefits that these trees bring.”
Tree Canada has planted more than 83 million trees, to date, with their community partners and sponsors. Nurturing urban and rural forestry not only sustains Canada’s proud heritage of biodiversity and natural beauty, but also creates a healthier, more sustainable environment for all.
“Our mission at Tree Canada is to grow better places to live through planting and nurturing trees and we are thrilled that U-HAUL and Otonabee Conservation share the same goal,” says Danielle St-Aubin, CEO, Tree Canada.
For further information, please contact:
Meredith Carter | Manager, Watershed Management Program
Otonabee Conservation
705-745-5791 ext. 223 | mcarter@otonabeeconservation.com