Community News

COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER TO PLANT TREES IN MERRITTON

CITY PARTNERS WITH NIAGARA PENINSULA CONSERVATION AUTHORITY

MELINDA CHEEVERS mcheevers@niagarathis week.com

Mother Nature was given her Mother's Day gift from Merritton a day early, courtesy of a community planting project.

The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) partnered with the City of St. Catharines for a planting event in Eastmount Park on Thorncliff Drive on Saturday, May 7. The event saw community members come out to plant 502 native trees and shrubs in three spots along the rear border of the park.

NPCA restoration specialist Steve Gillis said the park was chosen as a joint partnership with the city.

"We looked at some of the areas the city owned to find some good spots to plant some trees, this is one of the sites we identified," he said, adding that a tributary of Twelve Mile Creek runs behind the park.

"When we're looking for potential tree planting sites — obviously the more trees, the better — but if we can be right next to a water course or creek, then it's

that much better, adding some diversity into the habitat next to the creek."

They wanted to plant trees and shrubs that are native to the area, including red oak, silver maple, dogwood and red maple trees, as well as raspberries.

Dozens of volunteers came out to help with the planting efforts. With a bucket of mulch in hand, Rahim Attahi said this was his first time planting a tree.

"It's nice to get a new experience and be a part of this," he said.

In recognition of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, the City of St. Catharines pledged to plant 50 trees for Earth Day Canada. The city's horticulture technician, Ilyse Norton, said the pledge, part of a Canada-wide one, was made in January.

"So, 50 of these trees planted today are in honour of Earth Day's 50th anniversary celebration," she said.

This isn't the first time the city has partnered with the NPCA. Last fall, there was a planting at Cherie Road Park in the Walker's

Creek area along the shores of Lake Ontario.

"This is an ongoing partnership, with more spots hopefully to come in the future," Norton said. She noted there were two sites identified for potential plantings this fall.

NEWS

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2022-05-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-05-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

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