Peterborough Blogs
Trees and Shrubbery Planted at New Peterborough Humane Society Animal Care Centre
/Siemens Canada, Tree Canada and Otonabee Conservation enhanced habitat at the new Peterborough Humane Society Animal Care Centre grounds with the planting of over 160 native trees and shrubbery on Thursday.
File photo.
Siemens Canada employees in Peterborough planted the native trees and shrubs in partnership with Tree Canada and Otonabee Conservation at the new Peterborough Humane Society Animal Care Centre.
A variety of native species of trees and shrubs including White Spruce, Ninebark, Serviceberry, Red Osier Dogwood, White Pine and Pussy Willow will increase species diversity and enhance habitat for local wildlife in the area adjacent to the off-leash dog park and outdoor animal runs.
“The protection of our urban forests is as crucial as ever, and it is through partnerships such as these that we can positively influence the health of urban trees and the health of the communities that rely on them,” said Nicole Hurtubise, Tree Canada CEO. “Through the support of Siemens Canada and Otonabee Conservation, together we can grow better places to live for Canadians one tree at a time.”
For over a decade, Siemens Canada, Tree Canada and Otonabee Conservation have collaborated to enhance the habitat around the watershed community in the City of Peterborough.
Tree Canada is the only national non-profit organization dedicated to planting and nurturing trees in rural and urban environments, in every province across the country. To date, with their community partners and sponsors, they have planted more than 84 million trees.
“Since 2010 Siemens employees have planted thousands of trees in the Peterborough area, and overall more than 16,000 trees across Canada,” said Ian Almond from Siemens Canada. “Helping to beautify the community we live and work in and contributing to a more sustainable future is an honour and we’re grateful to our partners who help make it happen.”
Local Students Install Rain Garden and Shrubbery at New Beavermead Campground Gatehouse
/Otonabee Conservation and Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board students from the Youth Leadership in Sustainability (YLS) program installed a rain garden at Beavermead Campground on Wednesday.
Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.
The garden was designed to capture runoff from the roof of the gatehouse, temporarily storing it in the garden during a storm event and slowly draining it away to reduce flooding, filter pollutants and channel runoff into the ground.
“This project will create a welcoming entrance to Beavermead Campground and highlight best practices for habitat enhancement and water conservation,” said Janette Loveys Smith, Otonabee Conservation CAO and secretary-treasurer.
Over 100 native trees, shrubs, grasses and flowers planted are to enhance habitat and increase biodiversity in the City of Peterborough according to a press release.
Purple coneflower, big bluestem, red osier dogwood and black-eyed Susan were chosen for this site to provide a habitat for pollinators. These plants are drought-tolerant and will require minimal maintenance and watering.
YLS students breaking ground to plant over 100 trees, shrubs, grasses and flowers. Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.
“In the face of the climate and biodiversity crisis, it’s so important that students have opportunities for hands-on activities like this where they are engaged in constructive, restorative, solutions-based work,” said Cam Douglas, teacher and YLS program coordinator.
The community is encouraged to visit the park and campground to see the native plant species and learn about the benefits of water conservation.
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A Highly Invasive Plant Called The Water Soldier Is Invading The Trent-Severn Waterway
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Water Soldier
Communities along the beautiful and historic Trent-Severn Waterway may not know there is an invasive threat that has crept into the waterbody. The OFAH through its Invading Species Awareness Program wants to raise awareness about a portion of the Trent-Severn near the Hamlet of Trent River, which is home to the only known wild population of the invasive species known as water soldier in all of North America.
Water soldier is used as an ornamental plant in water gardens—the likely source of its introduction to the Trent Severn Waterway. Water soldier forms dense mats of floating vegetation, crowding out native species and decreasing plant biodiversity. It has the potential to alter surrounding water chemistry, which may harm phytoplankton and other aquatic organisms. It can also hinder boating and angling and its sharp, serrated leaf edges can cut swimmers.
It is the OFAH's goal to stop the spread of this plant to other locations. Throughout this summer, OFAH and MNRF staff are on the water monitoring and mapping the water soldier colonies, thanks to a $35,000-grant from the Invasive Species Centre, and supported by a Water Soldier Management Plan. OFAH is putting out a call to volunteers to join them August 7th for Water Soldier Watch Day and help them track and monitor this highly invasive plant. More deets in the poster below...
