A troop of school children from Conestogo Public School trudged down a muddy trail leading to a cluster of small trees waiting to be planted at the dairy farm of Ed Frey in Elmira on Wednesday. The children were there to participate in the Trees for Woolwich spring planting campaign.

“We have partnered with schools across the township; the program allows students make a difference one tree at a time,” said Inga Rinne, chair of Trees for Woolwich. “Students will receive a hands-on learning experience, teaching them the environmental benefits of planting and nurturing trees.”

The official launch of the tree-planting season begins Saturday (today) as the organization will be holding its “Church Challenge” and are looking to have over 50 people from several Elmira church congregations get together to plant 235 trees on a bare two acres of township land off South Field Drive. The site will be forested with a variety of native pine, spruce, maple, oak and hackberry.

“The organization heavily relies on volunteers of all ages and from all walks of life,” said Rinne, adding the goal is to plant 23,000 trees by 2015 – one for each of the township’s residents.
Next weekend a dig is planned at a roadside project on Durant Road between Bloomingdale and Maryhill, which will see Scouting members get involved.

On May 12 the industrial area of Elmira will see much-needed trees sprout up in two areas. Scouts will gather at their new building at the end of Oriole Parkway to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Elmira Scouting. Part of that celebration will involve the planting of 100 trees.

Down the road at the corner of Oriole Parkway and Union Street, Woolwich Rentals will partner with Trees for Woolwich to care for 55 trees that will be planted to green an empty corner lot. Members of the Woolwich Community Lions, who have supported Trees for Woolwich financially, will also lend hand with the planting, joining other community members who appreciate the importance of trees in the community.

As always the Elmira Kiwanis will continue its annual program to green up the streets of Elmira by planting another 50 trees on the streets and boulevards.

“There is a lot of activity right now and it’s just the beginning,” said Rinne. “The township has only half the tree cover that is considered ideal. These public plantings gives everybody the pleasure of planting a tree as it can be very satisfying but it also reinforces the importance of planting trees.”

Trees will be planted on public and private land over the next few months. One of the group’s main goals is to construct natural windbreaks along roads and between fields.

For more information or to volunteer contact the organization at Treesforwoolwich@gmail.com.