Forest Glade's Derwent Park just got a whole lot greener.
On Saturday, the Essex County Field Naturalists' Club and Little River Enhancement Group partnered up and planted 40 large-stock trees in celebration of the WindsorEssex Community Foundation (WECF)'s 40th birthday.
"Trees naturally add substantial spiritual value to the Windsor-Essex region. The connection humans have with trees touches the soul," said Ian Naisbitt, member of the Little River Enhancement Group and Essex County Field Naturalists’ Club. “Essentially, trees make people feel good. City dwellers value the view of a tree outside their windows. Urban trees calm people during their commute to work. The Foundation’s Commemorative Grove will help to improve the mental health of the people who visit this peaceful, natural setting and reflect on their life with the help of the trees.”
The initiative was supported by an investment from the WECF.
“This year, we are investing in community to create projects that will invest in lasting change, reflect who we are as the people of Windsor and Essex County, value our sense of place and culture, and honour both our local history and our future as it unfolds,” says Lisa Kolody, executive director of WECF. “We are privileged to be celebrating our 40th Anniversary with phenomenal community partners like Little River Enhancement Group and Essex County Field Naturalists’ Club, who are helping us mark this milestone year by creating beautiful outdoors spaces and helping to support the health and well-being of our environment here in Windsor and Essex County.”
Volunteers from the partner organizations and the greater community were guided by experts from the Essex Region Conservation Authority in the tree-planting. Derwent Park and the new walking path will now have ample shade thanks to the hard work of all involved.
