Trees for Mapleton (TFM), the Township of Mapleton and the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) partnered to help private landowners plant 1,325 trees in the municipality through a rural non-farm (RNF) grant program.
A TFM report to the township states a total of five rural non-farm landowners completed projects on their property this past spring.
Funding was presented to the landowners through the township from a NextEra Energy donation.
The program put $4,277 in grant money towards reducing landowners’ expenses for tree planting projects that had a total installation cost of just over $9,000
Benefits to landowners
“The implementation of these projects will provide many benefits to the landowners and the community such as air filtering, preventing water pollution, reducing wind speeds, decreasing soil erosion and many other positive impacts,” states a report prepared by GRCA forestry specialist Joseph Heeg.
The report explains that in 2013 NextEra Energy committed $100,000 over five years to tree planting in the Township of Mapleton.
TFM was designated as the lead on this initiative. The GRCA carries out the tree planting program.
In 2014 the TFM committee voted to make $10,000 of the annual $20,000 in NextEra funds available to private landowners in Mapleton.
The money is targeted towards landowners who want to preserve and enhance the environment through tree planting but do not qualify for existing programs that serve primarily large and/or agricultural properties.
“By making funds available to smaller projects, TFM is recognizing that every tree planting project, no matter how small, can still contribute to the overall goal of an increased tree cover in the township,” the report states.
The report notes the TFM committee has not yet decided whether it will continue to accept applications for rural non-farm grants or if, as NextEra funds are depleted, it will reserve funds solely for larger scale farm projects and windbreaks planted into plastic mulch.
All Mapleton landowners, whether RNF or farm, are still encouraged to contact the GRCA this fall to discuss planting options for their property next spring.
Regardless of funding options, the GRCA forestry specialist can offer free advice on reforestation efforts, necessary site preparation and maintenance methods. Landowners with more than 2.5 acres are eligible for on-site forestry advisory services.
Windbreaks a focus
The report notes the committee and the GRCA continue to work with both farm and non-farm landowners in the Township of Mapleton to add more trees to the landscape, with a heavy focus on windbreaks and living snow fences.
For information about Trees for Mapleton, contact chair Bruce Whale at 519-748-7928. For tree planting assistance, contact the GRCA at 519-621-2763 ext. 2259 or trees@grandriver.ca.
