Over the past two weeks the Nashwaak Watershed Association has seen several student volunteers dedicate their time to plant trees on the Marysville Flats.
The Marysville Flats is a section of the Nashwaak River which is part of the Nashwaak Greenway. The future vision of the Nashwaak Greenway is that it will be a publicly held forest and wetland area, with trails and river access points. The Greenway will be maintained as a natural landscape within walking distance the city centre and maintained for the use of all.
You can learn more about the Greenway project here: https://www.nashwaakwatershed.ca/greenway/
On Saturday, Sept.24, students from St. Thomas University arrived at The Ville to volunteer their time as part of the STU Cares Day of Action.
Students planted silver maples, a fast growing tree which will compliment the wetland area, while other students helped plant flowers and plants just outside The Ville.
On Tuesday, Sept. 28, students from Gibson-Neill Memorial Elementary School arrived at the flats to play games, plant trees and do some critter dipping. Students smiled and screamed as they discovered new wildlife in the river, and helped bring some life to the ground.
“We planted bur oak and silver maple,” said Grade 3 student Howi Gudina. “They can live longer.”
Gudina had polished up on her tree knowledge before coming to the flats, and even knew why it was so important to plant trees in the area.
“When it floods from the river and it comes over here the trees will soak up all the water,” she said.
Student Logan Domas said the bur oak is more resilient than most trees.
“The bur oak can stand through fire,” Domas said.
Students from Barkers Point Elementary School will be coming to plant trees in the coming weeks before the frosty weather arrives. The Nashwaak Watershed Association hopes to provide a fun, educational experiences for the remaining classes.
We would like to thank Gibson-Neill Memorial Elementary School and St. Thomas University for their participation over the past two weeks.