Oakvillegreen launches TreeKeepers Program at Oakville's Pelee Woods

Yorkregion.com
June 6, 2016
By Julia Le

Residents dug in at a public tree planting event to help restore Pelee Woods Sunday (June 5).

It also launched Oakvillegreen Conservation Association's TreeKeepers program, which encourages residents to become stewards of the land.

By providing free trees, invasive species removal, stewardship training and hosting neighbourhood events, the program aims to educate and empower residents to carry out on-the-ground stewardship activities in their own neighbourhoods, acting as "urban TreeKeepers."

Oakville is losing many of its ash trees because of the infestation of he emerald ash borer (EAB), which is causing great damage to the urban forest, according to Oakvillegreen Urban Forest Stewardship Coordinator Christen Dschankilic.

"Pelee Woods is one site where many ash trees were damaged and their removal affected the woodlot as whole," he told the Oakville Beaver.

Planting new trees and educating residents about the importance of caring for urban greenspaces is one way to combat the effects of EAB and other invasive species.

“The TreeKeepers program is a "fantastic way to help protect and grow the green canopy in your community," stated Oakville Mayor Rob Burton said in a press release.

"Through engagement and education, Oakvillegreen is helping make Oakville a more livable, sustainable place for everyone," he stated.

The TreeKeepers program is open to all Oakville residents. To get involved, contact oakvilletreekeepers@gmail.com.

Oakvillegreen hopes participation in the program will increase Oakville’s tree diversity and support the Town of Oakville’s 40 per cent urban forest canopy coverage goal.

It's being funded by the Oakville Environmental Fund and The Alma Fund.

The next TreeKeepers event will be June 11 at Perkin's Passage - part of Cornwall Road Park located at the corner of Watson Avenue and Cornwall Road. The community will be removing invasive species and replanting native species.

For more information, visit oakvillegreen.org/programs/oakville-treekeepers.