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Shelburne residents support tree planting This past Saturday 20 volunteers showed up at the east end of Franklyn Street to help the environment by planting trees to help improve wildlife habitat and water quality. Among those volunteering was councillor Randy Chambers and mayor Ken Bennington. This is a yearly occurrence, in conjunction with the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA), has been taking place since 2010. Over that time, hundreds of volunteers have planted over 7,000 native trees and shrubs, enhancing nearly 2.5 km of stream side habitat along Walter's Creek and Besley Creek. The headwaters, once supported a cold-water trout fishery, which has since diminished. By shading the watercourses, trout may return to these streams. Restoration taking place in the Shelburne area flows all the way down to Wasaga Beach, Gerogian Bay and into the beautiful Great Lakes. Achieving water quality and habitat targets depends on everyone working together. The NVCA regularly monitors our rivers and they have their stewardship programs and are happy to work towards protecting and conserving our common waters. The primary provider of the trees for planting is Summerville Nursery who are located just south of Everett. This Nursery uses local genetic seeds which are genetically suited to our climate making the likelihood of them taking root and growing for years to come much better then trees that are larger and replanted from one location to another. Shannon Stephens, Healthy Waters Program Coordinator for the NVCA says there is a small window that is prime for planting deciduous trees and that is from the last week of April until the last week of May. Trees planted are protected with a wrap to keep small animals like rabbits and beavers from damaging them. Cedar trees are planted with a black biodegradable bag which acts as a barrier to weeds which could potentially take over the plant and also is a great way of sourcing water directly to the root system. At the end of the day Shannon Stephens says, “The Town of Shelburne and its residents are truly amazing in the progress they've made working together for healthy, more resilient streams, and safeguarding the sources of their drinking water. Its been a true pleasure to work with them towards restoring stream-side habitat, of these important headwaters of the Boyne River and Nottawasaga River.” For more information on volunteering with the NVCA can check out their events listing at www.nvca.on.ca/Pages/Events0206-2049.aspx or sign up for a montly update at events@nvca.on.ca By Michelle Austen  Photos by Michelle Austen |
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Post date: 2015-05-07 19:24:04 Post date GMT: 2015-05-07 23:24:04 Post modified date: 2015-05-13 19:18:45 Post modified date GMT: 2015-05-13 23:18:45 |
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