One Tree at a Time: Over 136,000 Trees Planted by SNC This Spring
South Nation Conservation (SNC) has planted over 136,000 native trees and shrubs this spring planting season across its 4,384 square-kilometer jurisdiction in Eastern Ontario through forestry programs, municipal and community partnerships, tree giveaways and planting events.
“We work with our 16 member municipalities, local landowners and community partners to plant trees and shrubs to create a greener summer and future, and to increase local forest cover,” explains Cheyene Brunet, SNC Forestry Technician. “We’re extremely happy with how many trees we planted this spring.”
Within Larose Forest, the second-largest man-made community forest in Ontario, over 38,000 trees were planted on land owned by the United Counties of Prescott and Russell.
Over 11,000 tree seedlings were planted by 89 residents at a reduced rate through SNC’s Over the Counter Tree Program.
SNC partnered with local high schools to host students at planting events in May so they could receive Specialist High Skills Major Certifications towards their high school diplomas; over 3,000 native trees and shrubs were planted along watercourses in Casselman, North Dundas, Nation, and the City of Ottawa.
This May also marked the 12th partnership anniversary between SNC and the 58e St-Bernard de Fournier Scouts as they planted over 300 trees in Alfred and Plantagenet.
Over 88,000 trees were planted by SNC on 30 properties throughout the region to support Forest Ontario’s vision of planting 50 million trees across the province by 2020. Recently, the Government of Canada has announced plans to invest up to $15 million to support Forest Ontario’s provincial tree planting program delivered by Conservation Authorities.
For the first time, SNC partnered with each of its 16 member municipalities to host community tree giveaways across the jurisdiction; over 6,700 potted stock trees and seedlings were distributed to residents at no cost.
In total, SNC has planted over 3.2 million trees across its jurisdiction since 1990.
“Our sights are already set on the 2020 spring planting season,” added Brunet. “We were able to break records and set planting milestones this year; we look forward to adding more native trees and shrubs to the local landscape next year.”
SNC is currently accepting subsidized tree orders for the spring 2020 planting season; residents may order smaller amounts of coniferous and deciduous trees over the counter from SNC at a reduced rate year-round.
For more information on SNC’s tree planting services, subsidies and programs, please visit www.nation.on.ca/land/forestry-services/tree-planting-services.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Cheyene Brunet, SNC Forestry Technician, 1-877-984-2948, ext. 295, cbrunet@nation.on.ca.
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