500 trees planted to protect Mad River

A group of 37 people answered the call to plant 500 trees and shrubs along the Mad River in a large deforested area near Carruthers Memorial Conservation Area near Avening on May 6. Friends of the Mad River, the Mad River Chapter of the Ganaraska Trail Association, high school students and local residents planted eastern white cedar, tamarack and dogwood using photodegradable mulch blankets to prevent tall grass from shading the small seedlings. The plant was funded by the World Wildlife Federation, Environment Canada, TD Friends of the Environment and donations. Donations in support of tree planting or ecological restoration work are welcome at CanadaHelps.org. There are other events this weekend in Mansfield, Beeton and Alliston. To sign up visit nvca.on.ca/events.