Archive: Projects
Another tree planting event…
….this time in Maple Ridge Park a total of 42 evergreen trees including Western Red Cedar and Douglas Fir. The trees were planted along the banks of the South Alouette River and was part of the many events of the Silver Valley Spring Festival 2008.
Between 500-600 people attended this event which included a fish release coordinated by the Alouette River Management Society [ARMS] along with a Katzie blessing by Willie Pirie.
The spring floral arrangement contest was enjoyed by all.
The 2009 Festival is now being planned
We thank the many volunteers and the support from the District of Maple Ridge
The societal paradigm regarding environmental sensitivity has done quite the about-face in recent years. No longer are environmentalists referred to disparagingly, now that eco-friendly living has become main-stream. With Al Gore’s movie educating the masses and Oprah and Hollywood’s support, there are few individuals who no longer incorporate at least some measure of green living into their lifestyles. However, other popular trends have come and gone. How do we ensure that eco-friendly living doesn’t go the way of Feng Shui?
Local Maple Ridge resident Ken Hemminger partnered with Isabel Gibson’s Grade 1 class from Yennadon Elementary to educate these future environmentalists. The intent was to reach the children at a young age, integrating knowledge and hands-on practices that can grow and develop with them. Understanding and practicing an eco-friendly lifestyle will hopefully become second nature, embedding the will to preserve our earth so that green practices remain sustainable, continuing with future generations.
The 22 students and 10 parent volunteers spent March 13th planting a total of 46 trees. The trees were donated by Ken Hemminger, who grew the trees from tiny seedlings. The trees were Western Red Cedar, between 6 and 7 years old, the same age as the children participating. Each child tagged a tree with their name, so that they would be able to see the trees they planted growing with them. Prior to planting, they learned about the benefits these trees would have to them, to the neighborhood in which they were planted, and to the environment as a whole. The children were taught how the roots would absorb water preventing soil erosion, how the trees would provide homes for small animals, and create oxygen for them to breathe.
They showed their retention for these concepts when asked to write about their experiences the next day. Six year old Ryley stated “I love planting trees and I want to keep Earth’s air clean in the Earth”. That sentiment was echoed by all the students involved. Not only did they find the experience fun, but they expressed much interest in the whys of their actions. Such classroom projects will help to maintain the momentum of environmentalism, perpetuating continued interest and personal investments in our environment, ensuring that green living doesn’t ever become passé.
- Kerry Gibson
February 7th, 2008
On Thursday, the local “Maple Meadows Mommy Meetup” group participated in the first “Little Kid’s Tree Planting Day”. One tree hugger enthusiast, seven moms and fourteen children between the ages of 2 and 8 gathered for this fun and awareness-raising event. In total, 32 trees were planted at Crosses Cabin Park in the Alouette River watershed. The children (and adults for that matter) had a blast throwing snowballs, digging in the dirt, enjoying some fresh air, all the while learning a bit about nature and the importance of trees and actually doing something to help improve our environment.
Get Your Paws Dirty in 2008
A group of environmentally concerned citizens, led by Ken Hemminger, got a green start to 2008 by planting 34 Western Red Cedars on Rock Ridge. This fast-growing species will help reduce storm water runoff in the area and reduce erosion, encourage native wildlife to thrive, and assist in countering the carbon footprint of the neighborhood.
With increased construction, more attention needs to be drawn to “greening” new developments. With the West Vancouver mudslides as an example of over-development, builders and citizens alike should be conscientious of the benefits of preserving existing trees and reforesting any areas that would sustain their growth.
Last year the United Nations met its target of planting 1 billion trees worldwide. When one considers that a single mature tree can absorb carbon dioxide @ 48lbs/year, that’s a good start. However, each person generates approximately 2.3 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year (in first world countries), so the work to counter the human footprint must persist. If every family in the US alone planted just one tree, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere would be reduced by one billion pounds annually. Ken Hemminger’s crew, after a couple hours work, reduced their footprint by 1632 lbs/year. Make an afternoon of it, and go get dirty.
The citizens of Maple Ridge already enjoy some benefits of a forest — and it lies in the downtown area. Of course this urban forest could be improved and we could all benefit from a sustainable eco-system. The national average is four trees lost for every one planted, so how are we doing? Here is a small list of what the presence of heritage trees can do for us.
- A mature tree can supply oxygen for four adults
- Clean the air by absorbing odors and pollution
- Prevent water run-off and soil erosion
- Produce food and mulch
- Provide a canopy and habitat for wildlife
- Increase property values
- Absorb noise, dust and heat
- Show others that the community cares about its past and future
In 2005, as part of our Creekside Replanting Project, Growing Our Community was involved in the planting of over 1400 trees in area watersheds. For 2006, we will add more than 2000 native trees to our community. Let me know if you are interested in finding out how you can help to make Maple Ridge a better place to live.
This past weekend, the banks along the smooth flowing North Alouette received the attention of 30 cubs and beavers from the Yennadon Youth Association, when 150 Western Red Cedars trees and willows were planted in a compromised riparian area.
The Cubs, Beavers and parents were able to see the effects of bank erosion caused by very fast moving water. With the continued removal of native vegetation from our watershed areas for the purpose of ‘progress’ and housing developments, there will be an increase in this “flushing” effect and flooding in all areas down stream.
Our next tree-planting event is 16 April 2005; volunteers are always welcome, let us know if you’re interested.
Fifteen Boy Scouts and Cubs from the Yennadon Youth Association joined together with a local volunteer organization to take steps that move Maple Ridge toward environmental protection goals set by all levels of government. On a rainy Sunday morning, the group planted over 200 Western Red cedar trees in pots. As part of a Developer Watch program these trees will be planted along creeks, in watershed areas, and in conservation zones – all areas that are susceptible to erosion and other forms of environmental degradation.
Along the way, the youth are learning about greenhouse gas emissions, the influence that trees and other plants have on the quality of the air we breathe, and the ways that new development influences water runoff in the rivers and streams around Maple Ridge.
Developer Watch spokesperson Ken Hemminger believes the actions of these kids is a great way for them to contribute to the community in a positive way. “There’s a renewed focus at all levels of government for reducing greenhouse gases. This type of contribution is exactly the sort of thing that gets people thinking about this important issue and moving in the right direction.”
More information about greenhouse gas emissions can be found at the federal government’s Climate Change website. You can follow the progress of the Scouts’ project at the Growing Our Community website.
In this Growing Our Community program volunteers are set to plant trees along creeks, in watershed areas, and in conservation zones – all areas that are susceptible to erosion and other forms of environmental degradation.
