Tree Planting Efforts Beautify and Naturalize Canal Road

 

On Monday August 9th, 2009, the South Simcoe Streams Network paid a visit to Canal Road in an effort to naturalize a portion of the Canal’s streamside for phase one of a two phase planting of over 650 shrubs and trees. Over the course of a few days, 240 large native trees and shrubs were planted with the help of Ministry of Natural Resources’ stewardship ranger crews, community volunteers, and employees of Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury and King Township.   Several types of native species including maple, spruce, pine, sumac, and tamarack were strategically planted along the berm.  More potted shrubs and trees will be added in the fall with assistance from community volunteers.

The tree planting took place near Highway 9 along West Canal Bank Road on the townline between King Township and Bradford West Gwillimbury.   It is the same area that was subject to trial work last fall as part of the overall Holland Marsh Drainage Canal Improvement Project.  The buffer planting is the final enhancement for this 450 m demonstration site.  When rooted, the trees will help solidify the newly built grounds.  “This work demonstrates what we as a Board would like to achieve down the road,” says John McCallum, Chairperson of the Holland Marsh Drainage System Joint Municipal Services Board. “We want to take it back to the way it was.”

This Holland Marsh tree buffer pilot project is a result of a partnership between the Municipal Services Board, the Town and the South Simcoe Streams Network (SSSN).   The SSSN is made up of representatives from South Simcoe municipalities, local conservation authorities, environmental groups, schools & service groups, business & industry, and the community at large with the vision of connecting people to environmental programs that impact positively on stream health.  The Network is a program developed by Nottawasaga Futures with funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.  Key projects include restoring tree buffers along identified stream corridors in the Lake Simcoe and Nottawasaga watersheds.

McCallum has been a member of the SSSN since its inception in the fall of 2008, He successfully lobbied for the SSSN to include the Canal as part of their 2009 projects. This is the SSSN’s first project in the area.

It is important to note that the cost of this buffer planting project is separate from the Canal Improvement Project costs.  The SSSN received $14,200 through the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Lake Simcoe Community Stewardship program supported by Federal and Provincial Lake Simcoe clean-up funds.   Added value to the project has been received through material and services donated by partners like Somerville Nurseries, the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury, Baker Forestry Services and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.  “The Board is appreciative for all the time, material and expertise of everyone involved,” says McCallum.   

 

 

 

If you would like to help out this fall or learn more about the project, you can reach the South Simcoe Streams Network by calling 705 435-1540 ext. 102 or emailing silvia@nottawasaga.com

 

See our Project photo gallery for more pictures!