|
Spring
is the time to plant trees. To encourage more of this the
Muskoka Heritage Foundation is once again offering native
trees and shrubs for sale at nominal prices on Saturday, May
4/02.
“This is our 3rd
year for the tree sale,” says Bill Dickinson, chair of the
Natural Heritage Committee, “ and it is doing very
well.” “We wanted to make these trees available to
individuals throughout Muskoka,” Bill states, explaining
that the annual tree sale is an extension of the Muskoka
Heritage Foundation’s Naturalize Muskoka Challenge.
The objective of the
challenge, as outlined in their brochure, is to encourage
individuals, businesses, schools and governments to green up
Muskoka’s urban and industrial areas by planting native
trees, shrubs and ground covers on properties where natural
vegetation has been lost.
“Muskoka’s developed
areas do not have to look like barren landscapes,” their
brochure states, explaining that “Muskoka’s native
plants, shrubs and flowers can soften the edges of our urban
environment and provide space for socializing, solitary
reflection and interaction with nature.”
The resulting benefits
include restored bio-diversity, habitat and food for
wildlife, giving a ‘Muskoka’ look to urban areas, as
well as the reduction of both energy and water resource
consumption and landscape maintenance. Tree planting also
improves water, soil and air quality.
When a business, school
or government accepts the naturalization challenge to do
more with their property the Muskoka Heritage Foundation
works with the landowner by first walking the site to
determine the key soil types, topography, wildlife and
nearby habitat. Then the idea is given shape with conceptual
drawings and a written plan that identifies the recommended
plant species for the area. Site preparation then takes
place involving consultation with some of the various
partners and the landowner. Finally the planting is done,
with instructions left with the landowner regarding
continued care.
As of spring 2001
naturalization projects had been done at a number of Muskoka
businesses, including the Dura Automotive and Scandura
factories in Bracebridge, and the Edmonds GM dealership in
Huntsville. Monck Public School in Bracebridge, and the
Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School have also had
naturalization projects done on their properties, as has the
Beaver Creek Correctional Services facility in Gravenhurst.
Partners in this
initiative include a number of local businesses -- King’s
Forestry service, landscape architect Jeff Waring, Compostit,
Inc. in Bracebridge, Wes Finch and Sons excavating – as
well as the McLean Foundation, the Helen McRae Peacock
Foundation, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Ministry of
Natural Resources and others.
Trees must be pre-ordered
by contacting the Muskoka Heritage Foundation. at (705)
645-7393, e-mail heritage@muskoka.com
or visit their website at www.muskokaheritage.org.
Muskoka Heritage Foundation Annual Tree Sale.
|
