The City of New Westminster was recently awarded $50,000 by Tree Canada to participate in their 2022 National Greening Program.
The program funds mass seedling plantings across Canada where there is a need for reforestation or afforestation to help contribute to a future with cleaner air, soil and waterways, said the city. The funding will be used to plant 25,000 native tree and plant seedlings in four of New Westminster’s natural areas in 2022. Starting on February 22, approximately 12,000 seedlings will be planted within forested areas in the north and south portions of Queen’s Park. The remaining 13,000 seedlings will be planted in Hume Park and Glenbrook Ravine in late August/early September. A network of designated walking trails will be maintained in these areas. “Many of the trees in the city’s natural areas are of similar age and species which could leave a significant gap in the tree canopy if they all reach end-of-life within the same timeframe,” said the city. “Planting diverse seedlings in natural areas today not only improves biodiversity, soil health, and air quality, but also ensures there are forests for future generations to explore and enjoy.”
