Ecology Ottawa Launches Tree Ottawa

NEWS RELEASE 

For Immediate Release

Ecology Ottawa Launches Tree Ottawa Emerald Ash Borer Beetle Devastates Tree Canopy

Ecology Ottawa is launching a Tree Ottawa initiative aimed at planting one million trees in Ottawa by 2017. The Emerald Ash Borer beetle is devastating the city’s tree canopy. Ottawa is expected to lose 25% of its tree cover in the next three to five years. Thousands of trees will be lost in schoolyards of the Ottawa Carleton District School Board alone.

On Wednesday October 9 at 2:00 PM in Bingham Park (the corner of Dalhousie and Cathcart Streets) Diana Beresford-Kroeger, author, botanist and tree expert, and Sarah Harmer, activist and Juno Award-winning musician, will plant an American Basswood tree to kick off the Tree Ottawa initiative.

"The Basswood tree is native to Ottawa," said Karen Hawley, Ecology Ottawa Community Network Coordinator, "its broad canopy will go a long way to restoring the tree cover in the Ottawa Region."

Tree Ottawa, a community-based initiative, will engage residents, private companies and public organizations in protecting, planting and promoting trees in neighborhoods across the city.
"We want every residence of the city to plant one tree in the next five years,” said Chris Henderson, a Tree Ottawa Champion. “ By 2017, in time for Ottawa to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday, we’ll have one million trees planted.”

“Our trees are an immeasurable asset to our urban and suburban lives,” said Graham Saul, Executive Director of Ecology Ottawa. “They enhance the city in so many ways that improve our health, wealth and wellbeing, yet we often take their presence for granted.”

Property values increase with the presence of mature trees, not to mention the savings in heating and cooling costs when trees surround a home. And having trees and green space in our communities improves air quality, promotes physical activity and contributes to good mental health.

The Lowertown Community Association is currently working to renew and revitalize Bingham Park, one of the oldest parks in the City.

After the tree planting, Beresford-Kroeger and Harmer will both be attending the Ecology Ottawa Eco Gala at 5:30PM at St. Elias Banquet Hall, 750 Ridgewood Avenue. Beresford-Kroeger will be the keynote speaker and Harmer will be playing music at the Eco Gala.

Ecology Ottawa is a local environmental organization working to make Ottawa the green capital of Canada. Founding sponsors of Tree Ottawa include Mark’s Choice Ltd. and Tundra Technical.

Note to Editors

  • Photo-op: Tree planting Wednesday October 9 at 2:00 PM in Bingham Park
  • Find out more about Tree Ottawa
  • List of Tree Ottawa Champions
For more information contact:
Karen Hawley
Ecology Ottawa Community Network Coordinator
Office: 613-860-5353
Cell: 613-700-4218
[email protected]
www.ecologyottawa.ca/tree-ottawa
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