INNISFAIL – At noon hour on May 31 the Town of Innisfail welcomed 48 middle school students to begin the transformation of 20,000 square metres of old snow dump land into a future horticulture paradise.
Just as importantly, it was an event that gave them the opportunity to learn about planting trees and shrubs, and the value of the local natural environment.
“I'm really hoping the students can learn about horticulture and all the different job opportunities they can get by doing things like that,” said Allyson Bendfeld, a teacher at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Catholic School, who brought 28 students to the two-hour event.
“It's not something they've ever done before and it's something they can use later on in their life, even in their own yards; adding a tree.”
The event, sponsored by Johns Manville, was centred in a 20,000 square-metre green space, the former town snow dump, between the Innisfail Cemetery and Centennial Park; an area the town has long looked at to reclaim and beautify.
“Environmentally it's better for the trees not to have it. This is all basically a reclamation kind of project,” said Brad Wilson, the town’s parks foreman.
Wilson brought along three employees from his department, including horticulturist Braden Wilson, to prep the site for the students.
His team was also there to help students plant the trees and shrubs properly, and then show them how to pack each with dirt, cover with mulch and then nourish with water, he said.
However, it was Johns Manville who made it all happen for the lucky 48 kids.
As soon as the students arrived there was a barbecue of cooked hotdogs and soft drinks waiting for them. When lunch was over it was time to plant baby trees and shrubs in the old snow dump – all 73 of them, and courtesy of Johns Manville.
There were 13 green ash and 10 Manitoba maple trees to plant. As well, the kids were given a variety of shrubs; 10 each of Amur maple, beaked hazelnut, pin cherry and choke cherry.
For good measure there was also five saskatoon shrubs, along with another five red osier dogwoods.
Adam Neale, environmental coordinator for Johns Manville, said the event was a company community outreach effort for the benefit of the community.
It was also an idea that came out of the recent Earth Day on April 22.
“Unfortunately, we can't really plant any trees or do anything in April, so we kind of morphed it into the end of May,” said Neale. “It’s working with the kids about environmental stewardship, and the benefits of the local plant species.
“It just so happened the town was looking to create a new park, so it worked out and it’s good for everyone,” he said, adding it was the first time his company has teamed up with the town and local schools for this type of event. “If it's a success we're open to continue making it an annual event.”
Ted Hutchings, principal of Innisfail Middle School, brought 20 middle school students to the tree planting, which he believes is a “legacy” opportunity the community can enjoy for many years to come.
However, he added it’s also a project that will always be special for the students.
“Anytime kids get the opportunity to be able to look at something years down the road and say, ’I was part of that and I got to take part in that’, I think that's what I'm hoping they'll get to experience,” said Hutchings.
“They (students) feel like they've given back to the community and that they've left a little piece of them here forever.”
