(North Bay, September 5, 2019) Thirty grandparents and their grandchildren are helping restore Chippewa Creek’s shoreline, combat climate change, and contribute to the greening of North Bay by planting 900 seedlings as part of the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority’s (NBMCA) Restore Your Shore planting program.
With funding from TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, 12 species of tree and shrub seedlings were planted today in the raised beds of the newly constructed accessible starter tree nursery along the Chippewa Creek EcoPath in partnership with Trees for Nipissing volunteers and Living Fit Inside Out members and their grandchildren.
“Today’s planting provides a great opportunity for seniors to forge a lasting memory with their grandchildren and foster life-long stewardship. As these trees grow, they’ll absorb carbon dioxide and other pollutant particulates, store the carbon and emit oxygen,” said Troy Storms, NBMCA’s Manager of Lands and Stewardship.
These seedlings will grow for 3 to 5 years, and are destined for planting on City of North Bay Parks and other public lands. They will also provide planting stock for NBMCA’s naturalization plantings and some will be available to community groups for planting events.
"Having healthy, vibrant green spaces is pivotal to making communities more resilient - today and into the future," says Sarah Colley, Regional Manager, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.
"Through initiatives like the Grandchildren Planting Trees Project, generations can come together to help create a more sustainable tomorrow. With each tree that's planted, it will mature over time and continue to provide benefits to the local community. We're proud to support the North Bay Mattawa Conversation Authority with a TD FEF Grant to help grow and enhance local green spaces," she added.
TD Friends of the Environment Foundation
Rona, Eagle Tree Services and the City of North Bay provided support and materials for the construction of the raised beds.
The Restore Your Shore Program allows shoreline and streambank landowners to take part in a program where free trees, shrubs and plants are provided to protect water quality, aquatic habitat and prevent erosion and runoff of nutrients which can contribute to the growth of blue-green algae. www.restoreyourshore.ca
Trees for Nipissing aims to create a more park-like setting in and around Nipissing District. The volunteers help maintain a second tree nursery on Hammond St., on land owned by NBMCA. www.trees4Nipissing
Living Fit from the Inside-Out is a women’s club connecting to improve their physical, mental, and spiritual health in a caring and supportive environment. www.livingfitinsideout.com
The Chippewa Creek EcoPath is a community initiative to restore and enhance the natural and heritage values of Chippewa Creek through education and stewardship. www.chippewacreekecopath.ca
The North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority was founded in 1972 by the Province of Ontario and its 10 member municipalities. A non-profit organization, the NBMCA works closely with the public to balance human needs with environmental needs throughout the region’s watershed. The NBMCA is one of 36 Conservation Authorities who are members of Conservation Ontario.
You can follow NBMCA on facebook.com/NBMCA ,twitter @theNBMCA and Instagram nbmcainfo.
You can follow TD Friends of the Environment Foundation on twitter @tdfef
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Media Contact:
Sue Buckle, Manager Communications and Outreach 705 474-5420 ext 2010
Troy Storms, Manager Lands and Outreach 705 474-5420 ext 2022
Vanessa Furgiuele, Communications Manager, TD Bank Group 416-944-5708
