Once again this summer NeighourWoods on the Grand will be running the tree inventory to collect data about our urban forest.
The group is looking for volunteers who are interested in joining the program.
This is an excellent chance to learn about trees, work outdoors, get some exercise and enjoy the company of likeminded tree enthusiasts. Absolutely no experience is required – just an interest in trees.
Training will be offered on May 31 from 6:30 to 9pm in Elora.
Following that, volunteers sign up to work in teams of two or three, working alongside with one summer staff person at a mutually-convenient meeting time.
Crews generally work for about two hours, for eight weeks during June and July. A number of volunteers return each year – a testament to the good experience they enjoy.
To date, NeighbourWoods has inventoried about 9,000 trees. Data analysis, conducted by the University of Toronto, pegs the dollar value of those trees at more than $12 million, which is just the replacement value of each tree.
This does not factor in the economic, health, social or environmental benefits afforded by our leafy canopy.
A recent summary report from the first five years of the inventory can be found on the Elora Environment Centre website, www.eloraenvironmentcentre.ca, under the Trees Tab. For more information about the program, contact Joe Atkinson at 519-820-7914.
