Volunteers needed to plant trees

A group dedicated to the protection and restoration of the Rouge River watershed is looking for volunteers to plant trees.

“Every year we host our marquee event in April/May to celebrate Earth Week,” says Patrick Wong, vice-chair of 10,000 Trees, an all-volunteer group established in 1989.

“This year, we are planning to plant 5,000 native trees and shrubs with the help of over 1,250 volunteers. We hope to restore an area of 2.5 hectares into a thriving forest ecosystem to help protect and restore the Rouge River watershed.”

The restoration of natural ecosystems is important to the health and well-being of our communities, Wong reports. “Forests help provide wildlife habitat and eco-corridors for the movement of plants and animals. They provide services to humans in the form of clean air, clean water and carbon sequestration,” he says.

10,000 Trees is looking for volunteers for the following tree-planting events: Sunday, May 3 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Milne Dam Conservation Park at 8251 McCowan Rd.; Saturday, May 16 between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at Berczy Park North at 447 The Bridle Walk; and Saturday, May 30 between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at Austin Drive Park on Austin Drive.

For more information, including what to wear and what to expect at a 10,000 Trees event, and to sign up, visit www.10000trees.com.

Photo: Volunteers are needed to plant trees at this year’s 10,000 Trees May events. (Photo courtesy of 10000 Trees)