Otonabee Conservation & TD Collaborate With PRHC To Plant Trees In Honour Of Frontline Healthcare Workers

On Wednesday (October 21st), 78 native trees and shrubs were planted near the staff entrance at Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC). TD provided funding for the planting, as part of their commitment to supporting those who are most impacted by COVID-19. The City of Peterborough generously supported the planting by providing compost and mulch to promote tree health and growth.

The native species planted included white spruce (which provides excellent shelter for wildlife) and fragrant sumac (a drought-tolerant shrub boasting beautiful red foliage in fall). Both species will support natural diversity and wildlife habitat on the PRHC property, and in time, will create shelter and a windbreak for employees accessing the staff entrance.

Gord Mackay, Groundskeeper at PRHC, plants a fragrant sumac alongside the staff entrance at PRHC. (Photo courtesy Otonabee Conservation)

Gord Mackay, Groundskeeper at PRHC, plants a fragrant sumac alongside the staff entrance at PRHC. (Photo courtesy Otonabee Conservation)

“Trees provide countless benefits from filtering the air we breathe, to regulating temperatures and providing shelter for wildlife,” says Dan Marinigh, CAO for Otonabee Conservation.

“Planting trees, which are symbols of life and growth, is an ideal way to acknowledge front line health care workers who are working tirelessly to care for our community during the pandemic, and always,” he adds.

Paul Finigan (front) and Pat Kramer (back) from Otonabee Conservation, plant native shrubs at PRHC (Photo courtesy Otonabee Conservation)

Paul Finigan (front) and Pat Kramer (back) from Otonabee Conservation, plant native shrubs at PRHC (Photo courtesy Otonabee Conservation)

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the generosity of our community has been overwhelming,” says Brenda Weir, VP and Chief Nursing Executive at PRHC. “Planting these new trees outside the Health Centre will be appreciated by our healthcare professionals, support staff and volunteers, and also by the patients and visitors who are here at the hospital every day.”

Otonabee Conservation is organizing several native tree plantings that will take place throughout the fall, planting 5,690 trees that will sequester over 1.2 million kg of Carbon over their lifetime. To learn more about the organizaton, click here.

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