Community Forestry during a Pandemic (UTRCA Weekly, April 1, 2021)
April 1, 2021 – Every year, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) plants thousands of trees and shrubs through various programs, as we work towards our target of establishing 1000 hectares of natural vegetative cover in the upper Thames River watershed by 2032.
Community Forestry is one of our programs that sees local schools and community members plant native trees and wildlife shrubs in municipal parks, along watercourses, and on industrial and commercial properties. This program is part of our Communities for Nature initiative, through which our staff work with local partners to identify sites that can be restored, and coordinate community involvement in planting trees and shrubs, aquatic plants, and wildflower meadows and prairies. Projects range from small neighbourhood sites to large, multi-year corporate and municipal initiatives.
In a typical year, approximately 10,000 trees and shrubs would be planted through the Community Forestry program. Not surprisingly, the pandemic significantly impacted the program last year and continues to affect our plans for 2021. We interviewed Karen Pugh, UTRCA Resources Specialist, to hear first-hand about how community tree planting programs have adapted.
2) How did the UTRCA get trees planted in 2020?
“Tree planting was designated as an essential service by the Province. We were still able to plant around 600 memorial trees in the spring through the Memorial Forest programs in London, Woodstock, St. Marys, Thamesford, and Zorra Township. It was important to me to get the memorial trees planted — the trees represent a loss for families and individuals, but also mean a time of growth and renewal.
We also completed projects along Medway Creek, Cedar Creek, and in Tavistock. UTRCA staff from all units and their families worked together, and we planted hundreds of trees of all sizes while maintaining physical distancing. While we each learned to cope with a global pandemic, it was a special time to see staff, families, and friends work together to accomplish a lot in a short time. With stay at home orders in place, we worked quickly and safely.”
2020 Community Forestry projects:
• Medway Creek planting – photos & video
• Cedar Creek planting – photos & video
• TD Tree Days
3) How are tree plantings for 2021 moving ahead?
“There is a big demand for trees, but the Communities for Nature projects are still missing a vital component — communities! We plan to complete about 15 projects, with the help of various Upper Thames staff and a limited number of people from interested groups, as well as some students, hopefully. We’ve learned a lot in a year, and are comfortable with our safety protocols.”
Communities for Nature funders and partners include the Cities of Stratford, London, and Woodstock, Town of St. Marys, Township of Zorra, Municipality of Thames Centre, Rotary Club of London South, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, EcoAction, Thames Valley District School Board, London District Catholic School Board, Logan and Evans Funeral Homes, Brock and Visser Funeral Home, Andrew L Hodges Funeral Home, and the St. Marys Ministerial Association, as well as donations from local citizens.
Find out more about the UTRCA’s Communities for Nature and Memorial Forests programs, and how you can support these and other projects!
Thanks, Karen! Next week we will share how the UTRCA’s tree planting programs with private landowners have been impacted by the pandemic.