Trees by the Shore Welcomes David Usher’s Support

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

Trees by the Shore, an innovative national initiative that aims to sustain urban forests throughout our country, is celebrating its 1st anniversary by welcoming Juno Award winning musician David Usher as a supporter of the program.

The program brings together school children, Girl Guides, Scouts and local conservation groups to plant over 37 000 native trees along waterways in 25 Canadian communities. Included in the program are lesson plans whereby students will learn about the benefits of trees including; maintaining water quality, minimizing soil erosion and providing habitat for wildlife.

David Usher will be kicking off his support for the program in Cantley, Québec on May 15th where approximately 1,500 trees will be planted along the shore of the Gatineau River by members of Les Amis du Parc Mary Anne Phillips.

“We are so pleased to be welcoming David Usher’s support for our program as we conduct this planting in Cantley,” said Michael Rosen, President of Tree Canada. “Trees by the Shore shows us how interconnected trees are with the natural world and provides a lasting environmental legacy in each community that participates.”

“David is a nationally recognized Canadian musical talent and a friend of the environment. He is lending his support to Trees by the Shore to help us bring attention to the need to plant more trees in urban locations across the country”, says Mr. Rosen.

The program is funded by Tree Canada in conjunction with their corporate partner Irving Tissue and their Majesta brand of tissue products.

“The Irving name is synonymous with progressive forestry practices in Canada,” said Michael Rosen. “We are so proud to be associated with this great Canadian company and their Majesta brand of paper products. Together with the Majesta brand, we bring communities together to learn, understand and protect the natural spaces where they live,” he said.

About Tree Canada

Tree Canada is a charitable organization established to encourage Canadians to plant and care for trees in urban and rural environments. A winner of the Canadian Environmental Award (2007), Tree Canada engages Canadian companies, government agencies and individuals to support the planting of trees, the greening of schoolyards, and other efforts to sensitize Canadians to the benefits of planting and maintaining trees. To date, more than 75 million trees have been planted and more than 450 schoolyards have been greened.


http://www.treecanada.ca/


For more information:

Melissa Nisbett
Communications and Marketing Officer
Tree Canada
Email: mnisbett@treecanada.ca
Tel.: (613) 567-5545, ext. 224

To set up an interview:

Carrie Croft, Consultant
Thornley Fallis Communications
Email: croft@thornleyfallis.com
Tel.: (613) 231-3355 x227
Cel.: (613) 866-2564

Ontario’s youth help green Canada by planting trees

About 100 volunteers, including the local Scouts, made Guelph a little greener on April 25th. Ed Borczon from Tree Canada led the group in planting over 1,500 trees.

As well, Great Gorge & Fireman’s Park in Niagara Falls utilized all 14 of their volunteers from Katimavik Youth to plant over 750 cedar trees on May 27th with the intention of planting another 750 this fall. Tree Canada’s Ed Borczon was also present at this event.

St. John’s, NL trailblazers busy planting trees

Check out the photos below to see how a few dedicated volunteers can make a huge difference. Over 1,580 trees were planted along the St. John’s Trailway on Saturday, June 6th. Way to ‘Leaf’ it all out there guys!

Tree Canada's Newfoundland Advisor, Bob Peters, was on hand for the event.

See below for photos from the event:

Pontiac, QC planting makes the grade

On May 19th, students from École Primaire L’Envolée in Pontiac, Quebec, along with volunteers from Sainte-Anne, decided it was time they become the teacher and show they know a thing or two about planting trees.

The planting of 1,583 trees was completed by sixty students and community leaders including Michael Rosen (President of Tree Canada), Réjean Dugas (MRC du Pontiac), Paul-Émile Malot (Mayor of Ile-du-Grand Calumet), Gerry Phillipe (Office of Hon. Lawrence Cannon, MP Pontiac) and Édouard Martineau (Groupement forestier du Pontiac).

See below for photos from the event:

Oromocto, NB scouts out the perfect planting location

May 9th was a big day for the Oromocto chapter of the Scouts of Canada. MP Keith Ashfield and Mayor Faye Tidd led over 100 Scouts, leaders and parents in planting over 1,700 trees in Anniversary Park, in Oromocto West.

It took all day but, as the Scouts say, they’re ‘Creating a better world’.

See below for photos from the event:

Medicine Hat, AB gets back to their roots

Sometimes it takes only a few driven volunteers to make something special happen. 12 members of the Grasslands Naturalists group rallied together to plant over 1,500 trees in only one day.

Gerard Fournier of Tree Canada advised the group and helped show what a community that cares about the environment can accomplish.

See Below for photos from the event:

A fun day planting trees at Calgary's Bow River

Over 100 people from the Langevin Science School in Calgary decided that this June it was time to grow their population. Their tree population that is.

By planting 1,575 trees, they not only helped the environment but also drew the interest of the local public with many of those that passed by stopping to ask questions or chat about what the volunteers were doing.

Ernie Yukiw, Majesta’s Western Canadian Sales Manager was on hand, as were City of Calgary employees and several media outlets.