Seguin Township staff, with the help of students from Parry Sound High School, planted 500 trees around the Christie Fire Hall in Orrville May 15.
Six different types of trees were planted including white pine, white spruce, sugar maple, burr oak, white birch and a hybrid poplar.
The project is part of the Township’s Climate Action Plan, and commitment to reduce both community and corporate emissions.
According to Coun. Ted Collins, Seguin is aiming to reduce corporate emissions by 30 per cent, and community greenhouse gas emissions by six per cent compared to 2016 levels, the last year the township’s emissions were recorded.
“We are trying to achieve net zero operations by 2050,” said Collins, who attended the tree planting, along with municipal staff, 16 high school students and a teacher.
Climate Change Intern Preston Nielsen said the trees will significantly help offset carbon emissions in the municipality.
“In the first year we estimate this site of 500 trees can sequester two to three metric tons of carbon, and come year 10 that number can go to 20 to 30 metric tons,” said Nielsen. “So, this project has a decent amount of carbon sequestration capability, as well as providing educational and community benefits.”
A $10,000 grant from CN Rail, provided through Trees Canada, covered the cost of the trees, mulch, and equipment and allowed for the setup of a watering system.
Nielsen said the Township has a good working relationship with Trees Canada and that staff are willing to organize another tree planting initiative if residents are interested.
“Trees Canada is a great project partner and they are always looking for more projects in the ground,” he said. “So, we are looking to see if any more of these projects are desired either with private landowners or in public and commercial areas.”
Collins was thrilled with the success of the first project and is anxious to see what’s next.
“I am happy to see that the initiatives we approved by adopting our community climate action plan are being done,” said Collins. “It’s not just talk. We are actually doing it.”
