Let’s Tree Wilmot expands local tree canopy with federal and municipal support

Township of Wilmot Mayor Natasha Salonen joined members of Let’s Tree Wilmot for a planting event at Petersburg Community Park on Oct. 18. The group recently received federal and municipal grants to fund two years of tree planting throughout Wilmot. Photo courtesy of Wilmot Township

Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A local non-profit group is growing Wilmot’s tree canopy with support from federal, municipal and community funding.

Let’s Tree Wilmot, a project of Garden Wilmot, recently received $67,240 from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to support ongoing tree-planting projects. Additional funding has been provided through the Township of Wilmot’s Community Grants program and other donors. The combined funding will support two years of tree planting and one year of watering and monitoring in communities across the township, including New Dundee, Petersburg, Mannheim and New Hamburg.

“We continue working with the township to increase the number and variety of trees for all to enjoy,” said Let’s Tree Wilmot chair Marlene Knezevich. “We are especially excited about starting a large project next year in Mannheim.”

The organization completed an application for the funding, with Tree Canada vetting the application.

“Looking at how we plant, species and the scientific rationale (guide) what and where we plant. As this is a matching dollar-for-dollar grant, we need to have the township involved to set money aside for public lands. We also plant on private lands and the partners must do the same.” 

Wilmot Township completed a tree canopy study in 2023 and developed a policy to help the community gain more of the benefits that come from planting and maintaining trees.

“We have a tree canopy of approximately 22 per cent, which is higher than some other townships. The goal is to have at least 30 per cent. Trees are important for providing shade, managing water, mitigating floods, enhancing beauty, serving as wildlife habitats and creating corridors, restoring the land so we feel this is part of reconciliation too,” said Knezevich.

Let’s Tree Wilmot has planted over 6,000 trees since 2020 and is vowing to continue as long as it has funds and land to do so.

“We have amazing, dedicated volunteers. Like any other event, there is a lot of planning that happens in the background. When planting on public lands, we work with the township to determine locations. Then we select the native trees to be planted based on the soil (and) moisture levels to plant the right tree for the right place.”

Before planting, tree locations are staked and the land is prepared if needed, such as cutting tall vegetation.

“The native tree order usually comes the day before, so we receive it and lay out the trees in their new homes. For the day, we have our tree crew who guide volunteers who attend to plant,” said Knezevich. “A how-to plant demo is done; we protect the trees using tree wraps or grow tubes from rodents/deer. Trees are mulched with arborist chips if in a lawn area to retain moisture, and coco mats are used when in the rough.”

The group was able to purchase “Billy,” an old Dodge Ram pickup, which is outfitted with a tank and pump used to water the trees when planted. Watering is done weekly in the first year and bi-weekly in the second year, though Knezevich prefers rain.

“We are currently watering about 2,600 trees, which means 15-20 hours of volunteer time. With time and money, this is a role the township will take over. We also started using a geographic information system to inventory our trees, and we can monitor survival rates and growth rates over time. In the past, we did it manually.”

Most of the land in the area is privately owned, and the group collaborates with landowners such as Tri-County Mennonite Homes in the Nithview floodplain. To reach the goal of a 30 per-cent tree canopy, new plantings will primarily need to take place on private property.

“Let’s Tree Wilmot is a fantastic community partner, showing how local residents can make a lasting difference with every tree they plant,” said Mayor Natasha Salonen.

For more information about Let’s Tree Wilmot or to participate in future events, visit www.letstreewilmot.ca.