It was a two-for-one celebration of Earth Day on April 22 as the Rotary Club of Guelph held its annual tree planting and Canada 150 Maple Grove.
Guelph Rotary member Sharon Rice explained the plantings are part of a 13-year project.
“We are now in our 10th year. Every year we plant approximately 5,000 trees.”
She added between 500 to 1,000 volunteers help make that happen each year on the Saturday closest to Earth Day.
Rotary club president Rosemary Clark outlined Clare Rennie’s vision to help the environment and create a forest canopy for both Guelph-Eramosa Township and the City of Guelph.
The club is allowed to use 100 acres of retired farmland, now a Grand River Conservation Authority property, helping to turn fields into forest.
Clark added the Rotary Club works in partnership with the GRCA. She noted the project is intended to finish in 2020 – which also marks the 100th anniversary of the Rotary Club of Guelph.
Another aspect of this year’s event is the creation of the Canada 150 Maple Grove.
In the grove, trees are being planted in the shape of a maple leaf.
Rotary member Dave Latreille said the decision was made because this is a special year – being the 150th anniversary of Canada.
The event was marked with a ceremony involving local politicians and GRCA representatives.
“This year marks the first year we don’t have Dr. Clare Rennie with us as he passed away in 2016 in his 90th year.”
“He was the visionary who started the (Rotary Forest) project.”
Rennie made the pitch to the club, “and we thought it was a great project for us,” Latreille said.
“It’s really grown over the years. It started off fairly modest, but the community response has been terrific. As a result we have up to 300 people coming during snow and sleet to upwards of 1,000 in better weather.”
Latreille said the Rotrary Forest has proven to be an example of a community partnership with the GRCA.
He added the work also has support from a great number of sponsorships “and the public has been wonderful.”
Latreille said “this is a busy day with lots of opportunities. We’re thrilled to have as many people out as we do. This year it is particularly great because it is Earth Day.”
For organizations like the GRCA, the planting helped kick off not only Earth Day, but the start of local events over 150 days, to include various activities, promotion of programs and initiatives throughout the watershed, as well as a number of events at Grand River parks and nature centres.
About the Maple Grove
The Canada 150 Maple Grove at Guelph Lake Park will be planted in the shape of a giant sugar maple leaf; the same species that is on the Canadian flag.
The maple leaf will stretch 60 metres across at the widest point, and 50 metres from base to tip.
It will be made up of 50 per cent sugar maple, 25 per cent red maple, 15 per cent silver maple and 10 per cent black maple.
The grove will be part of a future trail system that the community will be able to enjoy for the next 150 years.
