ferred to as the lungs of the world.
“Trees are our carbon sinks,” said Gail Adrienne, executive director of the Nanaimo and Area Land Trust. “Every time you plant a tree in the ground you create more biodiversity for animals and are improving air quality.”
This Saturday (Sept. 22) those lungs will gain strength in numbers as 50 volunteers plant about 250 trees and shrubs in the Third Street area to celebrate the autumnal equinox. Adrienne said volunteers will also remove invasive species, replacing it with native plants such as broadleaf maple, salmonberry, thimbleberry and others.
The planting event is a partnership between NALT, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation and Evergreen Canada and is occurring in more than 135 communities across the country. TD Friends has a goal of planting 40,000 trees this year with the help of community partners.
“We understand reforestation is important. As a bank we use paper but we’re conscious of it and know as a bank we are using resources in the environment,” said Mandip Kharod, regional manager for the Pacific and Prairie region for TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.
She said TD is always looking for opportunities to give back.
Space is available for 50 volunteers and only a few spots remain. Volunteers will meet Saturday at 1 p.m. in the Nanaimo Ice Centre parking lot and are asked to pre-register at www.tdtreedays.com/en-ca/sites/72-Nanaimo.
Kharod said if people can attend she encourages them to check out the area after the planting and see the “good work” that’s been done.
On Wednesday (Sept. 26), Nanaimo residents are invited to celebrate trees and pink salmon at Woodstream Park.
The City of Nanaimo parks, recreation and culture department is hosting National Tree Day and Pinks in the Park 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Woodstream Park in Departure Bay. There is also a bike tour of historical trees from 10 a.m. to noon starting at Bowen Park.
The Woodstream Park celebration features community information booths, which focus on trees, streams, invasive species and returning salmon. There are free workshops: invasive species removal starts at 10:30 a.m. and tree pruning begins at 1 p.m. It also includes a ceremonial tree planting at 12:30 p.m. to honour National Tree Day.
For more information please go to www.nanaimo.ca.