COMMUNITY TREES INITIATIVE

Union Gas employees celebrate through seed collection event

2011-11-24T06:56:00.001-08:00

As part of their centennial celebration, Union Gas awarded the Community Trees Initiative program $34,177.83 to help provide school and community groups with the opportunity to learn about the seed to tree process. In celebration of this anniversary, eight Union Gas employees participated in a seed collection event at Maple Leaf and St. Anthony's Cemetery and Mausoleum Saturday November 19th, 2011. The seed collection event allowed employees to experience the Community Trees Initiative first-hand. Mark Egbedeyi-Emmanuel, Union Gas district manager for Windsor/Chatham, was present at the event as the Union Gas representative. The participants experienced a nature walk around the cemetery grounds learning about tree identification and collection of tree and prairie seeds. They collected seed from Black Walnut, Redbud, London Plane and Sycamore.

CKSS Life skills class plants 360 prairie plugs

2011-11-17T07:52:00.001-08:00

Two life skills classes from Chatham-Kent Secondary School planted 360 prairie plugs on November 17th as part of a prairie restoration project on River Line. Despite the cold weather, 15 students and 5 teachers eagerly joined the efforts to plant the diverse array of species including Big Bluestem, Sneezeweed, and Grey-headed Coneflower. During the two hour event, students also worked in teams to lay mulch around an area of young trees and learned about the benefits that mulch offers.

Cold Frame Seeding Event with CKSS Environmental Club

2011-11-10T05:55:00.001-08:00

A group of seven students from Chatham-Kent Secondary School participated in a cold frame seeding event hosted at their school on November 9th. The students learned about factors seeds must overcome in order to reach germination, including thick seed coats, moisture levels, and temperature requirements. The group of eager students planted two frames of Black Walnut, two frames of Honey Locust, one frame of Sugar Maple, and one frame of Indian Grass. When spring arrives, the students will be able to observe the growth and progress of the seedlings.

Check back later this month for an update on an upcoming prairie plug planting with Chatham-Kent Secondary School's Life Skills class on November 17th.

Thank you to our sponsors

2011-11-08T09:04:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the support of our sponsors, the Community Trees Initiative program is able to continue teaching student and community groups about the seed to tree process and its importance for our environment. The stewardship skills instilled in our volunteers will enable a bright and healthy future for the community of Chatham-Kent. The program sponsors are:

The Greening Partnership

Union Gas

EcoAction

Prairie plug planting with CKSS environmental club

2011-11-02T07:42:00.000-07:00

The environmental club at CKSS has joined us for another event this fall. The prairie plug planting event took place October 27th at the Diversion Channel in Chatham, Ontario. Nine students participated in the event to help establish a tallgrass prairie along the channel.

The CKSS environmental club will be participating in a cold frame tree seeding event November 9th which will take place on school grounds.

Check back to read more about this, and other, up-coming events.

Fall seed collections and plantings have begun!

2011-10-20T08:41:00.000-07:00

The CKSS Environmental Club led by Gord Williams and Michael Warren participated in a prairie seed collection event at the Turin Paw Paw Woods October 17th. The site history and ecological importance was highlighted during this event. After introducing them to the species of forbs and grasses found within the prairie, the students eagerly ventured into the grasslands to collect seed. The species collected include Indian grass, Big bluestem, Little bluestem, Mountain Mint, Wild Bergomot, and grey-headed coneflower.

They will be joining us for upcoming events in the next few weeks including a prairie plug planting and a cold frame tree seeding event. Stay tuned for these events and more happening this fall.

Tree planting with Ursuline College Students

2011-06-08T12:33:00.000-07:00

Trees were planted at Lion's Park in Chatham June 8th with the help of Mrs. O'Brien's grade 11 Environmental Workplace class and two of Mrs. Lucarelli's grade 11 Biology classes. The Municipality of Chatham-Kent prepared three plots within the park, located on Stewart Street, for the planting. The students planted Sycamore, Elm, and Red Oak seedlings throughout the plots in the park.

Thanks to our sponsors

2011-06-08T12:09:00.000-07:00

It is with great thanks to the sponsors of the Community Trees Initiative that we were able to fill the greenhouse with native tree, shrub, and prairie species this spring. The sponsors include Sobeys CEF, Municipality of Chatham-Kent, Stewardship Kent, and Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority.

Tilbury District High School gets the ball rolling for 2011 tree planting events

2011-04-19T11:44:00.000-07:00

The grade 11 Environmental Science class from Tilbury District High School lined out and planted native trees and shrubs on April 18th. Despite the cold and snowy weather, they planted 222 trees at Northside Park in Tilbury. The students held high spirits and showed lots of enthusiasm during the two hour event. Their efforts will be enjoyed in years to come by future generations who visit the park.

CKSS goes for the green!

2011-04-11T07:00:00.001-07:00

Two groups from CKSS participated in a seeding event April 6th which took place at their school. 11 members from the Gord William's Environmental Club, and 10 students from the Life Skills class planted 17 trays with native tree, shrub, and prairie species. These included Sassafras, Blue Vervain, Sneezeweed, Virginia Mountain Mint, and Swamp Mallow. The students were very eager to get their hands dirty and plant a diverse array of seeds. The trays will be stored in the greenhouse facilities and later planted in the community. This group marked the last of the seeding events for this year. The next step of the initiative is to get outside and plant trees in areas around the community.

Chatham Christian School

2011-04-11T06:50:00.000-07:00

Mr. Michael Hoekstra's grade 8 class from Chatham Christian School participated in a seeding event April 1. The students were excited to go outdoors and learn the proper techniques to plant native tree seeds. Their class learned about the importance of trees on air and water quality, their effects of soil quality, as well as the importance of preserving native species. The class of 19 students planted trays of American Sycamore which will help fill the municipal greenhouse facilities.

Tilbury Disitrict High School

2011-04-08T12:52:00.000-07:00

Mr. Steve Stephenson's grade 11 Environmental Science class joined the efforts to green Chatham-Kent Apr 1. The 17 students that participated in the event planted 10 trays of American Sycamore and Ninebark. The students were very enthusiastic about planting the seeds and learning about the ways they can help the environment.

Victor Lauriston Public School

2011-04-08T12:40:00.000-07:00

Two grade 3 classes from Victor Lauriston Public School participated in a seeding event held at their school March 30th. The students were very enthusiastic to learn about the seed to tree process and observe it first hand. The students planted 45 peat containers with American Sycamore seeds. The containers were placed in the classroom window where their growth can be easily tracked. The seedlings will be sent home toward the end of the school year and allow the students to help with the initiative and green the community.

Community Living Seeding Event

2011-04-08T12:26:00.000-07:00

The 7th group from Chatham's Community Living participated in a seeding event at the municipal greenhouse facilities March 30th. The group of volunteers planted 1 trays of Red Dogwood, 1 tray of Ninebark and 7 containers with Black Walnut.

Ecole Secondaire de Pain Court

2011-03-30T06:23:00.000-07:00

Mr. Roger Daniel's grade 9 Geography class participated in a seeding event at their school Monday March 28th. They planted 4 trays of American Sycamore, 2 trays of Shagbark Hickory and 2 trays of Red Dogwood. The plants will be tended by students at the school greenhouse facilities where they will later be planted on school property.

Participants from the Riverview Day Program develop stewardship ethics

2011-03-30T05:52:00.000-07:00

8 volunteers from Community Living's Riverview Day Program developed stewardship ethics during the seeding event Monday March 28th which was held at the municipal greenhouse facilities. Steve Parr, a local substitute teacher, also joined the efforts to help fill the greenhouse. Together, they filled 7 trays of native shrub and prairie species including Button Bush, Ninebark, Red Dogwood, and Penstemon digitalis.

Community Living's Riverview Day Program

2011-03-25T06:43:00.000-07:00

7 volunteers from Community Living's Riverview Day Program joined us at the municipal greenhouse facilities where they helped plant American Sycamore and Shumard Oak. They are excited to return to see their growing seedlings in upcoming weeks.

Ursuline College Grade 11 Biology

2011-03-25T06:32:00.001-07:00

A third group from Ursuline College helped with the initiative to green Chatham-Kent. Mrs. Lucarelli's grade 11 Biology class took part in a seeding event March 22 which took place at their school greenhouse facilities. Their class planted 2 trays of ninebark, 2 trays of red dogwood, and 2 trays of american sycamore.

Lambton-Kent Composite School

2011-03-25T06:22:00.000-07:00

The students from Mrs. Michelle McFadden's class at Lambton-Kent Composite School participated in a seeding event greenhouse March 22. The event, which took place at their school greenhouse, taught them the techniques used to plant and care for native tree and prairie species including Shumard Oak and Penstemon digitalis.

Chatham Community Living help green the future

2011-03-21T12:49:00.001-07:00

Two groups from the Children's Respite Home and Chatham Community Living showed interest while learning the "seed to tree" process. They volunteered their time and efforts on Saturday March 19th at the Municipal greenhouse planting a variety of native tree species. 5 Children from the Chatham Children's Respite Home planted Red Oak and Walnut seeds. Their efforts helped add 7 newly seeded trays to the greenhouse stock. Later in the morning, a second Community Living group of 7 adults and 2 children joined the efforts to green Chatham-Kent by planting trays with Black Oak, Paw Paw and Red Oak seeds.

Community Living Children's Respite Home

2011-03-16T08:25:00.000-07:00

Three youth from the Children's Respite Home participated in a seeding event March 12th at the Municipal greenhouse. It was an amazing experience to see children show such excitement to get involved and plant seeds for their community. They are looking forward to return to the greenhouse for a tour of the growing seedlings. The group hope to help plant the trees in a nearby location to use as a new picnic area for children to enjoy.

New faces from the Children's Respite Home will be joining me March 19th for another seeding event.

Chatham Community Living

2011-03-16T07:55:00.000-07:00

4 volunteers from Chatham Community Living joined efforts to help green Chatham-Kent by participating in a seeding event held March 10th. The four women joined us at the Municipal greenhouse and planted 8 trays with Red Oak. Once the greenhouse is green with seedlings, the group will be invited back for a tour to see their contribution to the initiative.

Ursuline College Seeding Event - Round 2

2011-03-10T09:35:00.000-08:00

Mrs. Chantal Lucarelli's grade 11 Biology class demonstrated the meaning of teamwork today as 20 volunteers filled and planted trays using Red Oak and Penstemon digitalis seeds. It was an amazing experience to see a group of students enjoying themselves as they make an effort to help the environment.

Ursuline College has been showing great initiative to get involved in the program and teach students stewardship ethics. I will be joining them again tomorrow to encourage another group of students to take a hands-on approach and improve the tree and prairie cover in Chatham-Kent.

Ursuline College kicks off first seeding event in 2011

2011-03-02T13:11:00.000-08:00

The grade 11 Environmental Workplace students participated in the first seeding event of the year. Thanks to the interest of their teacher Mrs. O'Brien, the students learned about the seed to tree process in the warmth of the school greenhouse facilities. The enthusiasm for the program at Ursuline College has been wonderful.

Upcoming weeks are going to get busy with more seeding events scheduled. They include Mrs. Lucarelli's class from Ursuline College, Community Living groups, and CKSS Environmental Club.

Stay tuned for more updates as the seeding events kick off.

2010 LINE OUTS

2010-06-14T08:10:00.000-07:00

ALL TREES ARE IN THE GROUND!

The seeding events that took place earlier this year were a success. A nice crop of Burr Oak, Red Oak, Shagbark Hickory, Chestnut and Ohio Buckeye have come to life and are now at home in the soils of Chatham-Kent and beyond. The area high schools have come through again with their eager, hard-charging students and teachers. Close to 2000 trees were hand-planted and now have to a chance to rise up and serve as monuments to all individuals that have a passion for the improvement of our environment.

FORESTS FOR LIFE!

École secondaire catholique École secondaire de Pain Court enjoys planting in the sun!

2010-04-05T12:51:00.000-07:00

We had a beautiful day to plant tree seeds at Pain Court Secondary School on March 31. Two classes participated (36 students in all) in the Community Trees Initiative. They listened attentively to a discussion on why trees are important, how to collect, and plant viable tree seeds. They asked some really good questions. Roger Daniel (teacher) taught them well, as they had many great answers also.

Roger has them scheduled to do a larger, seedling planting on a private farm near Pain Court. Over 600 trees will be planted with Randall Van Wagner of the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority.

The Ol' CKSS Environmental Club

2010-03-24T07:09:00.000-07:00

Gord Williams always gets a few students recruited for the many events we have during the year. From seed collections in the fall, germinations in the spring, planting in late spring, and any building projects in between. This year we are also planning get the Environmental Club participating in a wind break planting out near New Scottland.

Some volunteers are veterans, some are new comers but it is all a worth while cause and effect. It is also a great way for students to acquire volunteer hours toward their diploma.

Sean Haskell and CKSS Life Skills

2010-03-24T06:59:00.000-07:00

The Life Skills class from CKSS volunteered another round of planting and we are getting close to filling the Municipal Greenhouse with 10 000 trees. Sean Haskell (instructor) says these guys love to get dirty and get the job done.

About 16 styroblock plug trays were planted. Species include:

Red Oak
Shagbark Hickory
Ohio Buckeye
Pin Oak

The CKSS Life Skills class is already looking forward to the 2010 line outs near the end of the school year.

LKCS and Miss. Bernadette Bruette

2010-03-24T06:50:00.000-07:00

Lambton Kent Composite School took part in the Community Trees Initiative again this year. The first class (right) planted Ohio Buckeye, and Burr Oak. They learned the value of trees and their connection to our farm land and agriculture industry to balance the ecosystem. The second class with Mr. Sean Patchette is scheduled for next week.

U of G Ridgetown Gets involved!

2010-03-24T06:33:00.000-07:00

Some go getters at the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus took the initiative to get involved with the Community Trees Initiative. This is the first time Ridgetown Campus has participated. Thanks to Mike Gladstone, space was granted to plant a few seeds and the Environmental Club now has a better understanding of the Seed to Tree Process.

RIDGETOWN DISTRICT HIGHSCHOOL GETS NEW LEADER IN SCIENCE

2010-03-08T08:22:00.000-08:00

This year Michelle McFadden has taken the environmental torch from Adam Willemse to sustain the Community Trees Initiative Program at Ridgetown. Michelle is very keen and understands the importance of environmental consciousness and this is obviously being conveyed to her students. The students were pleased to have an active role in providing the community with trees to support a cleaner environment.

JMSS QUADRUPLES EFFORTS

2010-03-08T08:17:00.000-08:00

John McGregor Secondary School expanded this year by planting four times the amount of seed. Native carolinian species included:

Red Oak
Shagbark Hickory
White Oak
Chestnut

All native seeds are collected within Chatham Kent to ensure maximum survival rates.

NORTH LAMBTON SS GETS INVOLVED IN THE NAME OF SUSTAINABLILTY

2010-03-08T08:02:00.000-08:00

Adam Willemse, Science teacher presently of North Lambton Secondary School in Forest, had the Community Trees Initiative Crew out to plant White Oak, Chestnut, Red Oak, and Shagbark Hickory on February 22, 2010.

Adam was stationed at Ridgetown District High School last year and really enjoyed the program. This year he didn't let the distance stop him and the class had a fun, hands on experience.

CKSS LIFE SKILLS PUTTING IN DOUBLE TIME

2010-03-08T07:52:00.000-08:00

The CKSS Life Skills class of 2010 planted a pile of tree seeds on February 17 at the Municipal Greenhouse. Varieties included:

Shagbark Hickory
Ohio Buckeye
Red Oak
American Sycamore

At the right is a group photo that shows their efforts behind them in white plug trays.

The CKSS Life Skills class is scheduled to come back to do another event in March at the Municipal Greenhouse. By then, they will discover the progress of their planting efforts as stems will have emerged from the soil and begin to produce leaves.

COMMUNITY TREES INITIATIVE EXHIBIT AT THE 2010 SPORTSMAN SHOW

2010-03-08T07:31:00.000-08:00

On February 12, 2010 the annual sportsman show was held at the Kinsmen Auditorium. Stewardship Kent was there and amongst the displays for Stewardship Rangers, and Wetland Rehabilitation Projects was the Community Trees Initiative exhibit. There were live examples of various native carolinian stratified seed, good and bad quality. Cut testing was also demonstrated.

Wallacburg Community Living Gets Walnuts Planted for 2010

2009-12-15T08:39:00.000-08:00

Excellent participation and some new faces out at the Municipal Greenhouse.

Wallaceburg Community Living members husked and planted walnuts for spring 2010 stock. It was a slimy job but no one was afraid to get dirty!

SEED BOXES FILLED AT CKSS

2009-12-08T05:19:00.000-08:00

Several species of tree seed were planted in four newly constructed outdoor protected seed beds at CKSS.

Species include:

Eastern Red Cedar
Bladdernut
Button bush
Red Oak
Sassafrass
Tulip Tree
American Sycamore

We just have to play the waiting game now and maintain moisture and weed control. Good luck on exams students and I'll see you in the spring.

About mid March we'll be getting back in the greenhouse to plant the bulk of our seed collected this fall.

CKSS GETS INVOLVED IN INNOVATIVE TREE SEED PROPAGATION TECHNIQUES

2009-12-07T07:19:00.000-08:00

The CKSS Environmental Club constructed 6 outdoor protected seed boxes on December 1st. The seed boxes are designed to protect tree seeds from wildlife or rodents. Some seeds require more than one year to germinate therefore they need to be protected during that time. The design is also ideal for portability.

It proves handy to have a wood shop or tech teacher involved in the environment. Greg Van Every of Stewardship Kent and Gord Williams (Tech teacher and Environmental Club Lead) pre-cut the pieces and the students assembled the seed boxes in a couple of hours.

The idea is spreading. Since the construction of the boxes, the life skills teacher has been influenced to teach his students on how to grow a vegetable garden with the same design.

The seed boxes are first filled with leaves to retain topsoil or wood chips which are layered on top of the leaves.

On December 7, the Environmental Club will fill the boxes with the planting medium and plant various tree species:

Eastern Red Cedar
Button Bush
Bladdernut
Sassafrass

SEED COLLECTION Turin Paw Paw Woods

2009-10-14T05:14:00.000-07:00

Turin Paw Paw Woods was a parcel of farm land donated by Jim Sheldon to the Nature Conservancy Canada in 2005. Since restoration in 2005 the prairie habitat has flourished and is now a beautiful, beneficial corridor in Chatham-Kent.

Keeping in mind to only take around 10% of the total crop to sustain wildlife, a considerable amount of Prairie seed was collected yesterday with the help from the Wallaceburg Community Living, and the CKSS Environmental Club. While collecting we explored the habitat at Turin Paw Paw Woods and discussed the principle of species succession. The students learned to identify grasses and forbs such as Indian grass, and Grey Headed Cone flower. It was a perfect fall day to be out, partly cloudy, and not too cool. I will be collecting at this site on Mondays and Tuesdays for another couple of weeks. Participation is welcome.

ERIEAU MARSH TRAIL POLLINATOR ENHANCEMENT PLANTING

2009-09-08T13:44:00.000-07:00

Several plant species directly related to pollinator habitat such as bees, butterflies, and humming birds were planted along the abandon rail lines leading into Erieau today. Now called the Erieau Marsh Trail it was historically used to haul coal to ships at Erieau. The goal is to enhance these plant species to diversify and rectify the native habitat on up the food chain. The plants were germinated and grown by Sherry from Sherry's Perennials on Highway 3 near Cedar Springs.

A GREAT SPRING SEASON FOR COMMUNITY TREES INITIATIVE

2009-06-22T08:44:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all the participants this spring. All together we've planted approximately 1750 seedlings this season. The frost was a little threatening but all the seedlings have come through it and are well on their way to becoming established "whip size" trees for community plantings.

The next phase of Community Trees Initiative will be native carolinian seed collection events in the fall season with new classes and some familiar groups from the past.

For more information on the seed collection events, or Community Trees Initiative in general, please contact:

Greg Van Every

gregoryjvanevery@gmail.com

519.350.4943

Don Hector (MNR)

don.hector@ontario.ca

519.354.6274

CONFIRMED dates for line outs

2009-05-10T16:53:00.000-07:00

Ridgetown District High School:

On School Site.
May 8, first 2 periods (am).

Lambton Kent Composite School:

On School Site.
May 11, 1230 pm.

MAY 5:

Anyone or groups interested in visiting the CK Greenhouse for a tour to see seedling progress. Please give arrival times so I have an idea of who is coming when.

Wallaceburg Community Living:

Flowerbed Nursery 22563 Kent Rd. 15
May 6, 10 am

Chatham Kent Secondary School

Earthworks Garden Centre 9710 Longwoods Rd.
May 13th, 3pm (tentative)

Pain Court Secondary School

CM Wilson Conservation Area
May 14th, 1130am

Ursuline College:

CM Wilson Conservation Area
May 13, 930am

There is a chance local papers/media will be at the events. Be sure to discuss possible media presence at these events with the principals. If there is an objection, please notify me immediately.

Tentative dates for line outs:

2009-04-22T15:31:00.000-07:00

Ridgetown District High School:

Flowerbed Nursery @ 22563 Kent rd. 15. April 28, first 2 periods (am).

Lambton Kent Composite School:

On School Site. May 1, 1230 pm.

May 5: Anyone or groups interested in visiting the CK Greenhouse for a tour to see seedling progress. Please give arrival times so I have an idea of who is coming when.

Wallaceburg Community Living

John McGregor Secondary School

Chatham Kent Secondary School

Pain Court Secondary School

CM Wilson Conservation Area. May 7, 9 am.

URSALINE COLLEGE

2009-04-07T05:59:00.000-07:00

Very interested students and teachers at Ursaline College in Chatham have put 1/3 of their greenhouse facility into trees this year. Planting and watering is being shared between 9 different classes, including Life Skills to Grade 11 Science. Ursaline has been very supportive of the Community Trees Initiative and we are very pleased to have so much interest and support.

Students are learning easy techniques to collect, test, and plant native tree seed in our seed zone, 38.

WALLACEBURG COMMUNITY LIVING

2009-04-07T05:38:00.000-07:00

10 volunteers, and residents from Wallaceburg Community Living participated in a seeding event at the CK Municipal greenhouses last Friday. It was the first time they had done anything like this. Everyone enjoyed planting Pin Oak, and Big Shell Bark Hickory. The Community Living group brings the seedling total up to capacity at 10 000, and finishes the job for 2009. Thanks so much to the Beth, Cindy, Heather, and residents. Way to be on the cutting edge of greening your community. Once the greenhouse is fully green we'll have the groups back for a tour. After that the next phase of the program will be hardening off and lining out.

CHATHAM KENT SECONDARY SCHOOL

2009-03-26T08:21:00.001-07:00

The Environmental Club at CKSS are definitely "in the know". This is the second year taking part in the Community Trees Initiative Program. They are becoming veterans.

They are also scheduled to plant 250 seedlings in east Kent, near Muirkirk at the end of April.

Way to take the helm!

URSALINE COLLEGE SEEDING EVENTS

2009-03-26T07:24:00.000-07:00

Six classes including different levels in applied science and life skills planted 24 trays of Pin Oak, Black Oak, and Red Oak. 3 flats of London Plane Tree seed were also planted.

Big Shell Bark, London Plane tree and Oak seeds were donated by Stewardship Kent to the environmental club. The Environmental club is going grow trees in the school to give away to students and teachers as part of a project. It's great to see young environmental enthusiasm. Nice Job!

PROGRESS AT RIDGETOWN HIGH SCHOOL

2009-03-26T07:17:00.000-07:00

Red Oak is doing wonderful at the RDHS greenhouse. The White Oak seed proved more challenging as it was of lesser quality.

JOHN MCGREGOR SECONDARY SCHOOL SEEDING EVENT

2009-02-23T11:05:00.000-08:00

At John McGregor Secondary School (JMSS) last Friday another seeding event was held. Present were Emily Meko, and Rebecca Maier with Mr. Parr and the newly established Environmental Club, and from the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus, Jessica Dillon (Environmental Management), and Sara Gosnell (Writing Consultant).

Greg Van Every of Stewardship Kent taught students how to obtain good quality seeds. Key factors for germination were discussed and demonstrated. Proper soil density, temperature, and moisture are the most important to ensure that good quality seed will germinate.

Big Shell bark, Red Oak, and Pin Oak were planted in two trays. The trays will be maintained in the CK greenhouses for about 13 weeks. This is because the JMSS greenhouse is full of other programs this year, but don't count us out for next year.

LAMBTON KENT COMPOSITE SCHOOL SEEDING EVENT

2009-02-19T13:00:00.000-08:00

Mr. Teasdale and his students of Lambton Kent Composite School took part in a seeding event today delivered by Greg Van Every of Stewardship Kent. The discussion included seed identification, stratification, scarification, and various seed quality tests. The students planted native carolinian species.

White Oak
Pin Oak
Big Shell Bark Hickory

The grand total was 5 trays. The students seemed enthusiastic about using a portion of the trees for a fundraiser to support the program.

RIDGETOWN DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL SEEDING EVENT

2009-02-12T12:57:00.000-08:00

Students at Ridgetown High participated in the first 2009 Seeding Event. 7 trays total were planted using 1 bale of promix. Five trays of white oak, and two trays of red oak. Students were also shown how to float and cut test seeds for viability. For the next fourteen weeks they will be tended to by the students and progress documented.......STAY TUNED!

WHEN?

2009-02-11T14:49:00.000-08:00

The projects, or facets of Trees for tomorrow occur throughout the year with the involvement of our groups. In the fall we collect seed locally from our seed zone on public an private lands. Then we stratify and store the seed over winter. Next, we germinate the seed using school, and municipal greenhouse facilities. For 14 weeks the seedlings grow in the greenhouse and at the end are hardened off and lined out in plots outdoors. The seedlings are allowed to grow, and managed for 2 years until ready for a community planting project.

WHAT?

2009-02-11T14:03:00.000-08:00

Trees for Tomorrow is a multi-faceted program designed to educate students, developmentally challenged, and the community on sound, sustainable environmental practices. The facets or, projects within the Trees for Tomorrow program take place throughout the year. Participation comes from schools, environmental clubs, developmentally challenged, and community groups. They are included in many aspects of the "seed to tree" process, and are encouraged to participate in the follow through. Seed collection and germination of native Carolinian zone species is one phase of the Trees for Tomorrow Program.

WHO?

2009-02-11T13:42:00.000-08:00

Stewardship Kent, Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority, St. Clair Region Conservation Authority, and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent make up the collaborative behind Trees for Tomorrow.

KICK OFF

2009-02-09T06:44:00.000-08:00

This marks the kick off for the Chatham-Kent Trees for Tomorrow Environmental Program. The program is a curriculum based, multi-faceted, hands on experience for students and developmentally challenged.

The students will get hands on experience of the seed to tree process and engage the community in environmental education, and planting projects.