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In This Issue
October 5, 2017 
Welcome to MAINSTREAM E-News
Volunteers for Conservation Edition
Giving Nature a Helping Hand
 
Since our Volunteers for Conservation Program was initiated in 1998, we have h ad over 1,425
adults and youth contribute clo se to 7,582 hours!

From planting events to special events, we would not have been able to undertake these activities without the support of our corps of volunteers.
Two Volunteer Planting Days this Fall
Murray Centennial Public School Planting Day on June 7
This past spring, the Rotary Club of Trenton and Murray Centennial Public School planted 290 trees/shrubs and 430 wildflowers as part of our 'Greening the Greenbelt' shoreline habitat creation project at the Trenton Greenbelt Conservation Area.
 
We will be continuing work on the project this fall with two more volunteer planting events scheduled for: 
 
Saturday, October 21 from 9:00 AM to Noon
  • Plant 370 trees/shrubs and 300 wildflowers
 
Friday, November 3 from 3:30 to 5:30 PM
  • Plant 260 trees/shrubs & 200 wildflowers
  • In celebration of the 2nd anniversary of the Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign, a special ceremony will take place at 3:30 PM (Nov. 3), prior to the planting event. Representatives from the project partners, federal/provincial/municipal government, and military services will be in attendance.

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Anyone interested in participating in these planting events, please register through the Highway of Heroes Living Tribute website using the following links: 
With the help of the entire community, you can be a part of the living memorial to honour those who have sacrificed their lives while serving our country.
'Greening the Greenbelt' Shoreline Habitat Project

Rotary Club of Trenton Planting Day on May 27 
Trenton Greenbelt Conservation Area is located in the heart of Trenton at the gateway to the historic Trent-Severn Waterway. The 2.5 kilometre long Conservation Area hugs the Trent River shoreline almost reaching the river mouth a t the Bay of Quinte on Lake Ontario. This ribbon of green is Trenton's only urban riverside natural area, popular for hiking, cycling, wildlife viewing, and fishing.
 
Unfortunately, the public green space is in poor ecological health, suffering from historical harmful land uses. Many sections of the Conserv ation Area consist of mowed lawn and non-native invasive plants with very few native species. This makes for poor quality shoreline habitat.  

Earlier this year, Lower Trent Conservation received $17,053.00 from the Government of Ontario through the Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund to support the shoreline habitat project. As part of Ontario's Great Lakes Strategy, the Fund was set up to help people take action to protect and restore the Great Lakes.
 
This summer, soil researchers from the Vineland Research & Innovation Centre conducted soil analysis for the two fall planting sites to determine how to improve soil conditions and increase tree survival.
 
Vineland's 'Greening the Canadian Landscape' research project works with the Highway of Heroes Living Tribute, with the intent of improving tree longevity in the challenging planting locations along the Highway 401 - Highway of Heroes corridor between Trenton and Toronto. 
  
As with many natural habitat restoration projects that we undertake, the support of community partners is key to its success. In addition to Highway of Heroes Tribute and the Vineland Centre, other partners donating services and materials to this project include Landscape Ontario, Fuller Native and Rare Plants Nursery, Git-R-Down Tree Service, Wentworth Landscaping, and Dibbits Excavating and Landsc aping Supply.
 
For more information, contact Ewa Bednarczuk, Ecology & Stewardship Specialist, 613-394-3915, ext. 252. 
Soil Remediation Workshop
The Vineland Research & Innovation Centre will also be offering a hands-on soil remediation workshop at each of the planting days. They will provide tips on how to assess soil health and improve tree growth. They will take place on: 
  • October 21 at 1 pm sharp (after planting event)
  • November 3 at 2 pm sharp (before planting event and ceremonies)
While this workshop is aimed at landscape contractors, the general public is also welcome. 
 
Vineland soil researchers take soil samples at the Trenton Greenbelt Conservation Area