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Wyoming, ON - As part of the County of Lambton's 175th Anniversary celebrations this year, the County of Lambton partnered with the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority (SCRCA) and Enbridge Fueling Futures Program to initiate a multi-phase tree planting project at the Oil Museum of Canada National Historic Site property located in Oil Springs. The goal of the project is to naturalize a significant portion of the property through the development of a mini-forest, incorporating a future walking trail for museum interpretation and experience development.
The first step in the project was initiated last week with the planting of nearly 400 native trees and shrubs, including 175 tulip trees to mark the anniversary year. Sycamore, bur oak, red oak, swamp white oak, silver maple, Kentucky coffee tree, black chokeberry, and winterberry varieties were also planted to begin the process of restoration. The planting of a mini-forest is a method of densely planting native plants, one meter apart, to make them compete and grow faster and squeeze out space for any unwanted invasive species. Mulch and compost is also added as ground cover to simulate the kind of organic matter that would be found in a mature forest.
Over 35 volunteers and staff with the County, Enbridge, and SCRCA were on hand Thursday, May 30 at the museum to assisting with the planting. Project funding support was also provided by Environment and Climate Change Canada, EcoAction Community Funding Program, and Canadian Trees for Life.
“What better way to mark an anniversary than to establish a legacy mini-forest that will benefit generations to come,” said Andrew Meyer, General Manager, Cultural Services Division. “We are incredibly grateful for the support of our community partners in making this anniversary project possible.”
“This is a small but important step in a much larger planting and restoration project that will have a positive impact on our watershed,” said Jessica Van Zwol, Healthy Watershed Specialist with SCRCA. “Tree planting is a great way to retain soil and nutrients, which are needed for agricultural purposes and ensure healthy water quality in the Sydenham River watershed.”
To learn more about the SCRCA and its programs, visit www.scrca.on.ca. For more information on how the County is marking its 175th Anniversary, visit lambtononline.ca/175.
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Please contact:
Jessica Van Zwol
Healthy Watershed Specialist
St. Clair Region Conservation Authority
519-245-3710 ext. 241
jvanzwol@scrca.on.ca
Andrew Meyer
General Manager, Cultural Services Division
County of Lambton
519-845-0801 ext. 5236
Email Andrew Meyer
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