TRENTON, ON – On November 9, the Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign, in collaboration with Lower Trent Conservation, held a special ceremony at the Trenton Greenbelt Conservation Area in Quinte West, ON to thank Tree Canada and CN for their $25,000 contribution provided through the EcoConnexions program.
“Tree Canada is thrilled to be working with CN to enhance the tree canopies of so many deserving communities across Canada,” said Michael Rosen, President of Tree Canada. “These trees we plant and nurture are a living legacy that will enrich our country, our communities and our homes for decades to come. These communities greened through CN EcoConnexions will be a lasting testament to CN’s exemplary environmental leadership.”
Mark Cullen, Canada’s gardening guru, Campaign Chair and co-founder of the Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign, Jim Alyea, Chair, and Glenda Rodgers, CAO of Lower Trent Conservation, Mayor Jim Harrison, MP Neil Ellis, and MPP Todd Smith participated in a special Remembrance Ceremony which included the Colour Party from the local Legion.
The ceremony concluded with remarks by LCol Steve Camps, representing CFB Trenton, before a ceremonial wreath was laid within the tree planting area. A special Vimy Oak tree was planted at the site with an additional 50 trees also being planted by local volunteers, adding to the thousands of trees planted previously by the Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign.
“CN remains committed to making a positive impact on the communities along our network, and are proud to be part of a program that helps to make these communities better places to live, work and play,” said Sean Finn, Executive Vice-President, Corporate Services and Chief Legal Officer for CN. “We’re not only helping beautify these communities, we’re positively contributing to a sustainable future one community at a time, as planting trees improves air quality and offsets carbon emissions.”
“Today’s celebration of remembrance and restoration is a win-win,” says Lower Trent Conservation CAO, Glenda Rodgers. “The Highway of Heroes needs places to plant trees in honour of military members – and we are always grateful to put more trees in the ground. It’s another step towards our vision of Healthy Watersheds for Healthy Communities.”
Three years after the first trees were planted in connection to the Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign, Canadians continue to show support for the project and the goal to plant a tree for each of the 2 million Canadians who served our country in times of conflict. 117,000 of these trees will be for each Canadian who has fallen in war since the confederation. These trees are being planted along and near the Highway of Heroes, also known as Highway 401, between Trenton and Toronto.
Photos of the event are available here.
About Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign
When is a tree more than just a tree? The answer is when the tree is part of a memorial to honour Canada’s fallen heroes. We are planting 2,000,000 trees between Trenton and Toronto, one tree for every Canadian that has served during times of conflict since Confederation and including the war of 1812. 117,000 of the most prominent trees will be planted along and near the stretch of the 401 known as the Highway of Heroes, one tree for every life lost while serving in the Canadian Armed Forces. This tribute offers an opportunity to tell the story of those that have served in the Armed Forces and remind travellers along the highway of the great debt we owe these courageous Canadians. It will also provide a myriad of environmental benefits for generations to come. The Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign is supported by the Government of Ontario, Mark’s Choice, Landscape Ontario, TD Bank, Frank Cowan Company, Tree Canada, Every Tree Counts (a partnership between Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation and the City of Toronto), Rotary District 7070, Maple Leaves Forever, and the Garden Club of Toronto.
To learn more, visit www.hohtribute.ca.
Facebook: @HOHTribute
Twitter: @HOHTribute
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About CN EcoConnexions From The Ground Up
The CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up program, sponsored by CN Rail in partnership with Tree Canada, will provide funding of up to $25,000 for the greening of municipal and First Nations properties across Canada, especially in communities along its rail lines. For more information on the program, visit: www.treecanada.ca/cn-ecoconnexions-from-the-ground-up
About Lower Trent Conservation
Lower Trent Conservation is a not-for-profit, community-based environmental protection organization dedicated to protecting, enhancing, and restoring local natural resources within the Lower Trent watershed region. Lower Trent Conservation works in partnership with municipal, provincial and federal governments, businesses, and community organizations to deliver locally based environmental programs and services. Their mission: To protect land, water and living things by working with and inspiring others. For more information please visit www.LTC.on.ca.