Winnipeg elementary school students plant trees to create school forest
A Winnipeg elementary school will be looking a lot greener in the future.
Greenway School hosted a special tree-planting event on Tuesday.
Throughout the school day, students worked hard planting trees to establish the Greenway School Community Forest.
“As a team, we've been working together on trying to return nature to our community here. We have this lovely space. Unfortunately, it was just nothing but grass. So over the years, we've been really focusing on that,” said Greenway School teacher Nic Skrabek.
The ‘greening’ initiative was put on by Green Action Centre, who worked with various local organizations, including Green Communities, Manitoba Eco-Network, West End Resource Centre, Trees Winnipeg, and Greendrop.
The school has been planting trees steadily for around 20 years on the premises, but organizers say the latest event has been the most impactful.
“Over time, we've been trying to plant trees, and we were lucky enough to put in about 50 in the last 20 years. Today, we get to put in 49 in one day. So really, really, a change of the time,” said Skrabek.
When the idea of replacing the trees began, the only trees standing were elms from around the time the school was established in 1909. Unfortunately, the majority of the elms on the property have since had to be removed, or are marked for removal, due to Dutch Elm Disease.
“So when they're going, when they're gone, we'll have no shade, we would have nothing but just grass here. And that seems not necessary, and unfair,” said Skrabek.
Due to its susceptibility to disease, experts chose not to plant any more elms, to give the forest the best chance for survival.
“There’s a variety of trees that will provide shade at different heights, throughout different generations, some that will provide shade in the next 10 to 20 years, some that will finally reach their peak in the next 40 to 60, 80
years. So a wide variety…we are giving a chance for nature to come back, and the animals to come back - that something's gonna be here for a long time…” Skrabek said.
Organizers hope that the students participating in the event will be able to continue enjoying the fruits of their labour in the future.
“We're also hoping that the kids that today plant the trees have that opportunity if they're still in the community, or returning to the community, they can come back and see their trees and show their kids and pass along those stories.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Father who killed one-year-old son with axe may be allowed to travel in southwestern Ontario
A Mennonite father who killed his one-year-old son with an axe may be allowed to travel to parts of southern Ontario in the coming months
Panama prepares to evacuate first island in face of rising sea level
On a tiny island off Panama's Caribbean coast, about 300 families are packing their belongings in preparation for a dramatic change. Generations of Gunas who have grown up on Gardi Sugdub in a life dedicated to the sea and tourism will trade that next week for the mainland’s solid ground.
Trump election victory 'very unlikely,' but 'possible': former FBI director Comey
Former FBI director James Comey says while he believes former U.S. president Donald Trump "will be defeated" in the upcoming presidential election, he doesn’t think it’s a given.
Robert Pickton stabbed with toothbrush and broken broom handle: victim's family
The family of one of Robert Pickton's victims says the convicted serial killer suffered an incredibly violent death at the hands of another inmate.
'It feels like freedom': Why some Albertans like going nude in nature
Few people can say they accidentally purchased a nude beach — but Shelley can. When she saw a piece of land she could fondly remember camping on was up for sale, she inquired about it and ended up purchasing it. She soon found that there were already inhabitants on it.
This Calgary home has a giant tree in the middle, and it's for sale
There's a luxury 'tree home' for sale in Calgary.
WestJet ordered to pay B.C. traveller $1,300 for a missed flight connection
A B.C. traveller will receive more than $1,300 in compensation from WestJet for a missed flight connection following a decision from the province's small claims tribunal.
Jennifer Lopez cancels summer tour: 'I am completely heartsick and devastated'
Jennifer Lopez has cancelled her 2024 North American tour, representatives for Live Nation confirmed to The Associated Press.
2 children among 5 people hospitalized after head-on crash on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa's west end
Two young children and three adults were seriously injured in a major collision on Highway 417 between Palladium Drive and Carp Road in Ottawa's west end Friday afternoon.