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March 21, 2011
A partnership between South Nation
Conservation
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Jeff Johnston of Hydro One, second from left, presents a cheque for $7,200 at meeting of the SNC Forestry Committee. Also pictured from left, Ed Kupczyk, Sr. Forestry Technician; Louise Godbout, representing the McLeod family, and Barclay Cormack, Chairman of the Forestry Committee.
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and Hydro One will result in a major tree planting project this spring. A mixture of 16,000 hardwood and coniferous tree seedlings will be planted on on a 9.2 hectare parcel of vacant land in Berwick. The land is in the process of being donated to SNC from the McLeod Family, who have requested that trees be planted on the site.
Jeff Johnston, Hydro One Forestry Services Regional Manager, through Hydro One’s Tree for Tree Program, presented the SNC Forestry Committee with a cheque for $7,200.00 to help offset the cost of purchasing tree seedlings for the site. The presentation was made at the March 9th SNC Forestry Committee meeting at the SNC office in Finch.
Johnston noted the need to keep Hydro One corridors clear and safe to ensure the continuous transmission of electric power throughout the region, which often involves the removal of trees that may come into contact with power lines. The new tree planting partnership indicates the support that Hydro One has for environmentally friendly projects delivered by local conservation authorities. Plans are already under way for planting projects in 2012 that would be supported through Hydro One funding.
The donation of land to SNC is the second by the McLeod family, who had previously contributed the land that has since been transformed into McIntosh Park in Berwick. Trees to be planted on the new parcel, directly across the highway from the park, will also help protect the shoreline of the Payne River from erosion. Future plans call for the development of trails, which will establish the property as another important public recreational resource for the community and the South Nation watershed.
“We’re very grateful to both the McLeod family and Hydro One for making this project possible”, says Ed Kupczyk, Senior Forestry Technician at South Nation Conservation. “It’s also an ideal way to mark International Year of the Forest which is being observed this year.
International Year of the Forest is also expected to be a busy year for the Woodlot Advisory Service, which began operations last October with funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the United Counties of Prescott-Russell. The bilingual service promotes sustainable management of existing forests and establishment of additional forest cover in the counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry (SDG), Prescott-Russell (PR), Leeds-Grenville, and parts of rural Ottawa. South Nation Conservation coordinates the service from its office in Finch with the active collaboration of the SD&G Certified Forest Owners, Boisés Est, and the Raisin Region Conservation Authority.
Woodlot owners who would like information on the economic potential of their woodlot, sustainable management practices and other relevant resources, can contact Woodlot Advisory Technician Rose-Marie Chretien at 1-877-984-2948 Ext 285, or rchretien@nation.on.ca
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