Image Credit: Contributed
September 17, 2015 - 1:49 PM
PENTICTON - The City of Penticton is pleased to host a TD Tree Days planting event this Saturday, Sept. 19 in the Penticton Creek showcase project area, demonstrating the importance of native vegetation to the ecosystem.
“Partnership has been so important to the Penticton Creek restoration project, and the City of Penticton is grateful that TD Friends of the Environment Foundation has continued adding to the tree inventory in our community,” said Mayor Andrew Jakubeit.
Some vegetation around the creek had to be removed at the start of the restoration project this summer. This was done for two reasons: invasive species along the creek had to be removed, and vegetation within certain sections of the bank can become debris during high runoff, which can cause flood protection challenges.
The planting program around Penticton Creek features several native species, to positively contribute to the natural habitat of the creek. The species to be planted have been carefully selected to include two different types of trees – 68 Trembling Aspen (Populus tremuloides) and 37 Black Cottonwood (Populus balsamifera) – and over 300 shrubs with eight different varieties.
“TD Tree Days is a great way for families to help green where they live and we're delighted to work with the City on this important project supporting the Penticton Creek watershed,” said Mandip Kharod, Regional Manager, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.
TD Tree Days was launched by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation in 2010 as a national employee engagement program. The program invests in the health of Canada's urban tree canopies, and offers people a fun, easy and rewarding way to give back and help green the communities in which they live and work. Thousands of volunteers – from Brownies to bankers – have planted over 185,000 trees through TD Tree Days. This year, volunteers will plant another 50,000 trees in over 150 communities across the country.
TD Friends of the Environment Foundation has contributed greatly to the natural beauty of several City of Penticton parks. In 2013, a new pocket park called Rotary Peace Park was created along the KVR Trail – featuring 16 trees and 150 shrubs. In 2012, 50 trees and shrubs were planted as part of an urban reforestation program in the west end of Skaha Lake Park. Both projects were supported by TD Green Streets grants.
Construction of the Penticton Creek restoration project has been supported by a number of partner agencies, including Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation.
News from © iNFOnews, 2015