Community Plantings to end the year (UTRCA weekly, November 18, 2022)

The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) has wrapped up a busy year of community plantings, adding trees and plants to two more sites this October.

The UTRCA was pleased to work with Oneida Nation of the Thames and TD Tree Days on October 7. A total of 250 new trees were planted, including pear, apple, peach, white cedar, white spruce, white pine, hemlock, sugar maple, and red maple. Fruit trees planted in previous years were reported to now be bearing fruit! Tree planting visits to the homes of many elders throughout the community also revealed excellent growth in previously planted trees. Funding was provided by TD Tree Days.

Additionally, the Métis Nation of Ontario and Thames Bluewater Métis Council partnered with UTRCA on October 17 for a community building day. Forty people planted 110 trees along the North Thames River. The planting took place on UTRCA land, next to an area that students had planted in the early 1990s through the Community Forestry program. Attendees took part in a variety of Métis culture games and enjoyed a lunch catered by Oneida Nation of the Thames.

Karen Pugh, UTRCA Resource Specialist, helped to organize the events. Karen shared that, “Tree planting with Indigenous communities brings to life the importance of respect for the Earth and each other. We share ceremonies and celebrations, diversity and dignity, and the common goal of improving and enhancing our local environment. We are all borrowers of the land and the challenge for us is to reduce our impact. Community plantings offer an opportunity to link vegetation and people.”

Karen’s parting message was, “Thank you to the many valued community partners, funders, volunteers, growers, and special staff at the UTRCA for the last (almost) 35 years of amazing opportunities!”