With an $8,000 grant from the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, trees damaged by the Emerald Ash Borer in Rotary Park will begin to be replaced.

As part of an overall tree replacement project, this funding allows the City of Welland to plant 20 native trees in an area heavily used for events. Additionally, the area has had many amenity upgrades over the past few years: a skateboarding facility, boat rental facility and washrooms, pavilions, and, most recently, a new splash pad.

“Unfortunately, this location was devastated by the Emerald Ash Borer many years ago, so we are looking to increase the canopy back to what it once was,” said Dave Steven, manager of parks, forestry, cemeteries, operations, and development “As the proposed trees are of the larger caliper, City staff will pre-dig all the holes and work with the volunteers to plant, mulch and water the trees.”

Volunteers will be able to beautify one of Welland’s fastest-growing parkland areas located along the Canal Lands. Together, staff and volunteers will prepare soil, plant native trees, stake, mulch, and water the planted areas to allow the trees to be appropriately established, ensuring their success. The City will supply all volunteers with shovels, gloves, and other necessary equipment.

Planting occurs on Wednesday, October 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The rain date will occur on Thursday, October 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact parksandforestry@welland.ca.

Part of the engagement process is educating and providing training resources to empower staff and volunteers, hoping everyone will have an ongoing interest in environmental preservation and tree care.

“We are thankful we get to work with local communities, like the City of Welland, who have the expertise and the commitment to restore our green spaces and build stronger, more resilient communities,” says Carolyn Scotchmer, Executive Director, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.

Founded by TD Bank Group in 1990, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF) is a national charity that funds environmental projects across Canada.