Otonabee Conservation Launches 2025 Seedling Program Encouraging Property Enhancement With Trees For Landowners

Otonabee Conservation has launched its 2025 Seedling Program, encouraging landowners in the Otonabee Region Watershed to plant and grow trees to enhance their property and mitigate climate change.

MEREDITH CARTER, MANAGER OF WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS AT OTONABEE CONSERVATION, HOLDS A BARE ROOT TREE THAT WAS ONE OF 4,500 TREES PLANTED AT A WATERSHED RESIDENT’S PROPERTY IN OTONABEE SOUTH MONAGHAN TOWNSHIP in the fall of 2020. PHOTO COURTESY of OTONABEE CONSERVATION

“Trees play an important role in maintaining a healthy and resilient natural environment; planting more trees will help provide habitat and mitigate the impacts of climate change,” said Meredith Carter, Otonabee Conservation Watershed Management Program manager. “Last year, nearly 100 landowners in our watershed purchased and planted 9200 trees and shrubs through our Tree Seedling Sales Program. This will translate to approximately the production 106,000 kg of oxygen.

The Conservation offers various coniferous and deciduous trees and wildlife shrubs, including White Pine, Eastern White Cedar, Red Oak, Sugar Maple, Highbush Cranberry, Buttonbush, Serviceberry and Tamarack. The minimum order is 25 seedlings per species.

“Trees and forests also protect water quality in our rivers and streams,” said Carter, “They provide essential habitat for birds and wildlife, contribute to environmental and human health and mitigate climate change impacts in our watershed.”

Pickups are scheduled for this spring with an order deadline of Feb. 24 at 4 p.m.

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