On September 25 and 28, 2024, Tree Canada celebrated another successful National Tree Day (NTD), bringing together communities across the country to plant trees and enhance green spaces. Each year, Tree Canada hosts a National Tree Day contest to encourage other groups to celebrate with us. Organizations and individuals are invited to organize a NTD celebration for a chance to win a free tree planting event for their community. This reward is made possible thanks to the support of BMO, the presenting sponsor of NTD. To enter, participants needed to register their event on Tree Canada’s event registry.
One of this year’s highlights was a planting event led by our 2023 National Tree Day contest winner, Canadore College, in North Bay, Ontario.
Canadore College’s Inspiring Planting Event
On National Tree Day, 28 maple trees were planted at the site of a newly announced daycare centre, a collaborative project between Canadore College and The Lindsay Weld Centre for Children.
“This event was not just about planting trees; it symbolized the growth of the children alongside the trees that will enrich their outdoor space,” said Jason Chirico, Sustainability Coordinator at Canadore College.
Volunteers included Early Childhood Education students, faculty, board members from The Lindsay Weld Centre, and community members, all united in their efforts to contribute to a greener future. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and camaraderie as participants worked together, leaving them with a sense of pride at the impact they made.
“This initiative not only expanded the tree canopy in our community but also united those who will learn and work in the renovated centre,” added Chirico. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Tree Canada and The Lindsay Weld Centre for their support in funding this wonderful event, and to Trees for Nipissing for supplying the maple trees.”
Announcing the 2024 Contest Winner: Les Amis du Boisé Neilson
This year’s National Tree Day contest winner, Les Amis du Boisé Neilson, celebrated with a community event on Saturday, September 21st, 2024. The group organized the planting of 55 trees, unveiled a living art piece, and distributed trees to the community. Around 125 people, including children, families, volunteers, and local dignitaries, gathered for the occasion. The art piece unveiling was a highlight, involving 15 volunteers in its creation. The event was made possible by the support of three key partners: the City of Québec, Coop IGA, and Capitale Nature.
The central message of the day was clear: “The trees of the urban forest belong to our children, and we must take care of them,” says co-founder, Daniel Desroches, Moreover, the preservation of Boisé Neilson aims to consolidate the nearby natural areas, with the ultimate goal of creating a national park in the western part of the City of Québec.
Photos courtesy of Les Amis du Boisé Neilson
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