Trees for Veterans planting program also helps with 2013 ice storm recovery

TheIFP.ca
April 10, 2017

As part of the Trees for Veterans program, the Town of Halton Hills celebrated the first tree planting at Prospect Park in Acton last week.

A grant from the CN EcoConnexions program is being used to replace trees damaged by the December 2013 ice storm.

The Town will plant 260 trees of in 40 parks across Halton Hills with special tags attached to them. There are about a dozen varieties of trees native to this area that will be planted.

Each tree tag recognizes Canada’s 150 celebratory year, the Community Covenant of veterans and their contributions and acknowledges program funding from CN and their partners.

Halton Hills is one of 50 communities receiving a $25,000 grant from CN Rail to fund local tree planting projects in honour of Canada’s 150th birthday.

“Today’s tree planting initiative is significant both in replenishing and supporting our environment but also, serves as a tangible reminder of the sacrifices and service awarded us by our veterans,” said Acting Mayor Councillor Mike Albano.

The CN EcoConnexions — From the Ground Up program promotes community sustainability through the greening of communities and First Nations across Canada.

CN and its partners, Tree Canada and Communities in Bloom, assist Canadian communities and First Nation groups in establishing tree planting and green space enhancement initiatives in a sustainable, environmentally responsible manner.

In 2017, the sixth year of the program, the number of communities awarded grants doubled from 25-50.