April 29, 2019 – Restoration work along the Avon River continues this year, with students from Sprucedale Public School helping plant seedlings and large hardwood trees along a tributary on the Avon near Shakespeare Pond. Students from Sprucedale Public School joined local Perth East community members for the planting.

Since the Upper Avon Conservation Club first began planting trees in 1994, over 10,000 trees of various sizes and species have been planted in the Township of Perth East along the Avon River and its tributaries. Trees have been planted on more than 30 properties to create stream buffers, field windbreaks, and block plantings. This year’s planting marks the 25th anniversary of the group’s first tree planting project. Many students from both rural and urban schools have helped plant trees over the years.

The Upper Avon River Conservation Club was founded in 1993 by a group of local landowners who farm in the Township of Perth East. The club has used the 1952 Avon Valley Plan as a guide for their conservation activities. Members have adopted the theme of “Neighbours helping neighbours to improve the health of the Upper Avon River watershed.”

This project is supported by a grant from the Donald McTavish Conservation Fund, Stratford Perth Community Foundation.

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