Ceremony kicks off planting of 1,500 trees and shrubs in Oakville park

Insidehalton.com
Sept. 27, 2017
By David Lea

Some of the damage done to Oakville's tree canopy by the emerald ash borer (EAB) was repaired Wednesday (Sept. 27) with a tree planting project that will ultimately see 1,500 trees and shrubs planted at Oakville's Nautical Park.

The Oakville Community Foundation, CN EcoConnexions, Tree Canada, the Town of Oakville, Oakvillegreen Conservation Association, the federal government and Communities in Bloom all had a hand in making the project possible, whether through funding, planning, site preparation or other essential work.

The planting was part of the town's Woodland Regeneration-Emerald Ash Borer Hazard Abatement Program.

"Oakville's urban forest provides incredible environmental, economic and health benefits to our community, which is why council has made growing Oakville's urban forest a key part of our Livable Oakville vision," said Oakville Mayor Rob Burton.

"Today's event will help the town in its efforts to recover from the devastating effects of the emerald ash borer and the damage it has done to our much vaunted and greatly valued tree canopy."

Burton noted the trees planted at Nautical Park would add to the more than 25,000 trees the town and its community partners have planted in Oakville's woodlands this year.

He singled out Oakvillegreen for planting 4,000 trees a year by itself.

Those present also heard from Paul Deegan, CN vice-president of public and government relations.

He noted CN EcoConnexions, a program that has seen CN plant more than one million tree across North America since 2012, contributed $25,000 to the Nautical Park project.

Oakville MP John Oliver's director of operations, Fiona Fraser, also spoke during the event.