SOUTH GLENGARRY, Ontario – Holy Trinity’s Grade 7 and 8 students were planting for a better future on Thursday, May 24.
In partnership with the Raisin Region Conservation Authority (RRCA) the students were helping to plant 2,300 trees on one hectare of their school’s property.
“This is great for the kids to teach them how to plant a tree and the benefits of trees,” said Normand Genier Forestry Specialist with the RRCA.
The students were planting a variety of trees including white and Norway spruce, red and silver maple and oak trees.
The trees were procured by the RRCA through the Forestry Ontario 50 Million Tree Program which covers 75 percent of the cost of providing trees as long as they cover one hectare of land.
The trees were planted on one square hectare just south west of the school parking lot right next to Boundary Rd.
“We want to provide a wind break to the school yard while increasing the buffer between the school and local businesses,” said Genier who said that the new forest would also support the growth of nearby trees that are already on the property. “It will eventually reduce energy costs,” he explained, referring to the benefits of the wind break.
Holy Trinity Agriculture teacher Mike Smith said that the project is helping the local environment while growing an interest in trees in his students.
“It is great to see them out doing something where there is a measurable reward,” he said. “As you can see, it doesn’t take much motivation to get them to plant trees.”
The Holy Trinity students began planting the 2,300 trees on Thursday, May 24 and will continue to plant, weather permitting, until June 1.
