Earth Day 2019 Planting Event
Gina Pannunzio and Ian Naisbitt
“When we plant a tree, we are doing what we can to make our planet a more wholesome and happier dwelling-place for those who come after us.” ~Holmes
On Sunday, 28 April, the Windsor-Essex community celebrated Earth Day 2019 by planting 2200 trees and shrubs. We planted in Little River Corridor Park: along the Ganatchio Trail and around the pond, west of the Florence Avenue and Beverly Glenn Street junction in East Riverside.
Over 1200 community volunteers participated in this event and many were first time planters! Volunteers worked from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. There were 60 volunteer groups that registered to plant, known as Green Teams who represented businesses, groups, schools, families and others across the region.
Saturday’s “Foreboding Forecast:” Cloudy. Periods of rain beginning this evening then changing to periods of snow or rain after midnight. Local snowfall amount 2 cm. Wind becoming northeast 20 km/h near midnight. Low plus 2. Yowzah, snow?
Sunday morning forecast: Periods of rain ending early this morning then clearing. Wind northeast 20 km/h, which is moderate according the Beaufort Wind Force Scale. High 11 Celsius. UV index 6 or high. After the “Foreboding Forecast,” what an enjoyable surprise it was to see the sun emerge from the overcast sky!
The species of trees we planted included: White Oak, American Elm, Pin Oak, Red Maple, Burr Oak, Sycamore, Basswood, Swamp White Oak, Oak, and Eastern Cottonwood.
Little River Corridor Park, between Riverside Drive and McHugh Street, has now benefited from the planting of 14709 (+ today) trees and shrubs since May 1990. The recreation trails throughout the area will permit people to make the desired connection with nature; they may even be lucky enough to experience the different species of wildlife that call this area home. Wildlife observed in the area included: Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Red-winged Blackbird, Turkey Vulture, American Robin, Killdeer and Mallard Duck.
The Essex Region Conservation Authority, Detroit River Canadian Cleanup and the City of Windsor did planning for the event. DRCC funded the trees via Ontario Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks. Event organisers appreciated the efforts from the 40 “How 2 Crew” volunteers who were an incredible force for planting trees.
“Never say there is nothing beautiful in the world anymore. There is always something to make you wonder in the shape of a tree, the trembling of a leaf.”
~ Albert Schweitzer
