Planting restores key areas of park and supports the Green Leaf Challenge's goal of planting three million trees in 2017
SUDBURY, ON, May 13, 2017 /CNW/ - Today, volunteers and representatives from CAA North & East (NEO) joined Forests Ontario for a community tree plant at Kivi Park in Sudbury. More than 300 volunteers took part in a marathon planting event from 9 a.m.–4 p.m., planting 10,000 native seedlings as part of Ontario's Green Leaf Challenge. The planting re-greened areas of Kivi Park that lost forest cover during the establishment of the park's trail system.
Launched in partnership by Forests Ontario and the Government of Ontario, the Green Leaf Challenge invites Ontarians to plant three million trees in 2017 in celebration of Ontario150. Ontarians can participate by adding any trees they plant to the online tree counter at greenleafchallenge.ca.
CAA NEO is one of many businesses taking part in the Green Leaf Challenge by supporting planting events in public spaces across the province, building on their ongoing commitment to enhancing forest cover in Northern Ontario. Since 2013, CAA NEO associates have supported and participated in plantings in North Bay, Nipissing, and Sudbury.
"CAA NEO is proud to sponsor the Kivi Park tree planting in partnership with Forests Ontario. Keeping our communities green is a top priority for our members, who have helped to plant thousands of trees in communities across Ontario in the past several years," says Christina Hlusko, President, and CEO, CAA NEO. "An event like this is a great way to bring together families, community members, and volunteers to make a positive impact on our public spaces, as well as a practical way to protect our environment by offsetting carbon emissions."
"CAA NEO's support contributes to a legacy that will positively affect the lives of Ontarians for generations," says Rob Keen, CEO of Forests Ontario. "CAA NEO's ongoing commitment to increasing tree cover across urban landscapes not only fosters a resilient ecosystem more capable of withstanding the effects of climate change, but also serves to build stronger communities by adding more green space creating more opportunities to interact with nature."
The Green Leaf Challenge will have a significant impact on Ontario's air quality by adding new forest cover that will remove approximately 6.6 million tonnes of carbon from our atmosphere by 2050. Forests Ontario thanks all volunteers who joined us at Kivi Park and CAA NEO for its ongoing support of our forest restoration programs.
About Forests Ontario
Forests Ontario is the voice for our forests. Working to promote a future of healthy forests sustaining healthy people, Forests Ontario is committed to the re-greening of Ontario through tree planting efforts on rural lands and in urban areas, as well as the renewal and stewardship of Ontario's forests through restoration, education and awareness. Visit www.forestsontario.ca or follow us @Forests_Ontario.
About CAA NEO
CAA North & East Ontario is currently ranked first in Canada for overall customer satisfaction in Automotive Services. Get what YOU want - whether it's keeping the family 'taxi' on the road or finding that fantastic 'getaway package', CAA has you covered.
SOURCE Forests Ontario
or to arrange an interview, please contact: Jeannette Holder, Communications Manager, Forests Ontario, Tel: 416-646-1193, ext. 257, Mobile: 416-522-8140, E-mail: [email protected]
Share this article