It was a chance to go green at the Green Legacy open house at the Bradford Whitcombe Tree Nursery last weekend.
Green Legacy program manager Rob Johnson said “one of the things with Green Legacy is that we give out 160,000 plus trees each spring to communities within the County of Wellington.”
“All the work is done with volunteers. We act as facilitators to help the communities grow these trees.
“This year we are well over two million tree mark and we wanted to have an open house to show off the facility and have a family day.”
Events on June 17 included kids’ activities, birds of prey demonstrations, nature hikes and greenhouse tours.
Plus, Johnson said, it ties in with the Canada’s and Ontario’s 150th anniversary.
“We’re trying to share more with the community to share what we have, and the types of trees we have,” Johnson said, adding there are frequent volunteers at the centre, including school groups in the spring and fall.
“Through the summer we have volunteers from four to almost 90 years old.”
Johnson noted volunteers include international students – “Anybody can volunteer with us.”
The centre also hosts volunteers from various service groups, organizations and corporations.
Part of last weekend’s event included unveiling a plaque recognizing the efforts of Mark Van Patter, who retired this year after 27 years with the Wellington County planning department.
Johnson said Van Patter, who was involved with the Green Legacy program from its inception, chaired the Green Legacy Committee and was a proponent of getting trees into the community.
Johnson added Van Patter always promoted land ethics and stewardship.
“We have the education component working with the kids and volunteers, sharing the importance of trees and within agriculture as well,” said Johnson.
