Roughly 1000 seedlings found their new home at the Kettle Creek Conservation Area late last month, thanks to the work of students from Central Elgin Collegiate Institute.
The school’s Environmental Leadership Club and a number of other recruits, spent a few hours under the sun, first learning the process and then planting a variety of different trees across the conservation area.
Betsy McClure, Stewardship Program Supervisor with KCCA notes that many hours have already been spent naturalizing the area, in an effort to create a safe space for local wildlife.
43 students participated in the tree planting project, giving them a new understanding of the importance of environmental initiatives such as preservation. Something McClure adds is important to learn young.
Teacher Chris Underhill, who leads the Environmental Leadership Club along side Laura Underhill, notes that this is something they’ve always believed in. Which is why they continue to come back each year they can.
Underhill adds it’s a tradition they’re very happy to keep alive.
The Kettle Creek watershed’s current forest cover is approximately 15% and Environment Canada recommends 25% forest cover to achieve a healthy watershed. In an effort to reach this goal, KCCA has committed to planting a minimum of 50,000 trees per year.
For more details on Tree Planting initiatives at KCCA, click here.
Written by: K. Freeman
