Unveiling the Nipissing Starter Nursery sign (from left) Peggy Walsh Craig (Trees4Nipissing), Troy Storms (NBMCA), Dave Mendicino (NBMCA Chair) Johanne Brosseau (City of North Bay Councillor) Hariett Madigan (Women10 Living Fit Inside Out)
Fostering a new generation of environmental stewards - grandchildren planting seedlings!
900 tree and shrub seedlings planted
(North Bay, October 6, 2020) Twenty 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 at the Chippewa Creek starter nursery,
With funding from TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, 16 species of tree and shrub seedlings were planted today in the raised beds of the accessible Nipissing Starter Nursery, a partnership involving the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority, Trees for Nipissing volunteers and Women 10 Living Fit Inside Out members and their grandchildren. Project Supporters include Watson Landscaping, Eagle Tree Service and the City of North Bay.
“Today’s planting is an experience for these young people that could cultivate a life-long appreciation for environmental stewardship. Kudos to these grandparents for sharing their wisdom and to our community partners and supporters of the nursery for helping maintain the health of our community,” said Dave Mendicino, NBMCA’s Board Chair.
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. The nursery is located alongside the Chippewa Creek EcoPath.
“Since Trees for Nipissing started in 2004, we have focused on growing the tree canopy in our community. We have planted over 7,500 trees during that time. And it’s always a pleasure to work with volunteers from Living Fit and the staff of NBMCA,” said Peggy Walsh Craig, Chair of Trees for Nipissing.
“Women10 Living Fit Inside-Out members and our grandchildren are honoured to be involved with this wonderful initiative for the third year in a row! Trees are truly the “lungs of our world. By planting trees we can contribute to the tree canopy of our city, help to reduce our carbon footprint and, while planting, share with our grandchildren the importance of trees to the health and beauty of our city,” said Hariett Madigan, President of Living Fit.
"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 Conservation Authority with a TD FEF Grant to help grow and enhance local green spaces," she added.
TD Friends of the Environment Foundation
Trees for Nipissing aims to create a more park-like setting in and around Nipissing District. Together with NBMCA, they co-manage the Nipissing Starter Nursery on NBMCA-owned land at the end of 2nd Ave as well as the tree nursery on Hammond St. . www.trees4nipissing.org
Women10 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
Species of Seedlings Planted:
Trees:
Red maple
Silver maples
Sugar maple
Paper birch
Yellow birch
Butternut
American sycamore
Trembling aspen
Black cherry
Tamarack
White cedar
Canadian hemlock
Shrubs
New Jersey tea
Red twig dogwood
Bush honeysuckle
Elderberry