On October 13, a group of 13 first-year Horticulture Technician program students branched out from their studies and planted new trees along Heritage Trail in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Through a donation from Canopy Growth Corporation, and in collaboration with the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Heritage Trail Committee and non-profit group Forests Ontario, 50 new trees took their roots during the morning planting bee.
“This ecosystem restoration project was a great opportunity for our students to get real-work experience and make a difference in their community,” said Al Unwin, Dean, Business, Tourism & Environment at Niagara College. “I’m proud to see what can be accomplished through partnerships between local governments, industry, community groups and our students.”
The new tree varieties included 25 Chautauqua oaks donated by Niagara College’s Teaching Greenhouse. The Chautauqua oaks – a Red Oak tree native to the Chautauqua community in Niagara-on-the-Lake – were grown at NC’s College’s Daniel J. Patterson Campus by students in the School of Environment and Horticulture and staff at the Teaching Greenhouse. The College has been growing the trees for four years, symbolizing NC’s efforts to preserve and restore the local, natural ecosystems in the community.
The planting was an effort to reforest and renew 500 meters of trail. The Town had to remove the original ash trees which had been infected by Emerald Ash Borer (an invasive species of beetle which only attacks the Fraxinus species – known commonly as ash trees).
Other tree varieties – including Silver Maple, Tulip, Hackberry, and White Oak – were donated by Canopy Growth, totaling 50 new trees planted.
Faculty member Michelle Smith and Greenhouse Manager Matthew Orr also participated.
“It was a fun experience for our students, a chance to get exposure to some real work, and make great connections with the Town of NOTL and industry partners,” said Matthew Orr, Greenhouse Manager. “Students also made some connections in their class that they have not been able to do because of COVID restrictions.”
Lord Mayor Betty Disero was quoted in a press release from the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake:
“The Chautauqua oaks that were planted today were a beautiful addition to the Heritage Trail. Job well done to the Niagara College horticulture students for taking care of these trees over the years, and thank you to Canopy Growth Corporation for funding this initiative through the donation of the trees.”
#NOTL’s Heritage Trail Committee hosted a special tree planting along the Heritage Trail today. A total of 50 trees were planted, most of which were Chautauqua Oak trees. Read the media release here: t.co/IsaM19Y1tU pic.twitter.com/v7dtq4DaWG
— Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake (@Town_of_NOTL) October 13, 2021
