Volunteers brave the rain to plant trees between Stratford and Harmony

Volunteers gather along Perth Road 112 on April 18 before heading out in the rain to plant more than 190 trees as part of a Rotary Club of Stratford initiative.

By Amanda Nelson

Despite rain and grey skies, more than 40 volunteers gathered along Perth Road 112, on the border between Perth South and Oxford County, April 18 for a tree planting event led by the Rotary Club of Stratford, turning what could have been a dreary morning into a meaningful show of community action.

By early morning, volunteers were already at work, carefully planting bare-root trees along the stretch of road between Stratford and Harmony. In total, more than 120 trees were planted by hand – each one dug into place, secured with a stake, mulched, protected with a tree guard and watered before the group moved on to the next.

“We planted 123 trees, five varieties of native trees,” said volunteer leader Doug Thompson. “It was a slug fest because of the conditions and the rain, but we got it done, and I think everybody was pretty proud of their effort.”

The event is part of a broader effort to increase tree cover in Perth County, where forested land currently sits at just nine per cent – well below the roughly 30 per cent recommended by Environment and Climate Change Canada to support healthy ecosystems and biodiversity.

Among the volunteers were 15 students from Nancy Campbell Academy, who took part as part of their World Citizenship course. The program blends environmental research with community service, encouraging students to engage directly with the world around them.

For student Colosteer Owenyass, the experience was about more than just planting trees.

“Planting trees helps the ecosystem,” she said. “I think we are all human and can help with healing the environment, help with global warming. We’re just human beings, and we have spiritual qualities and the responsibility and ability to help the environment become better for our children and the future.”

Teacher Shabnam Tashakour said opportunities like this allow students to connect their learning to real-world impact while fostering a deeper sense of environmental awareness and responsibility.

The initiative is supported by the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority and Perth County public works, which provides funding and resources for projects that strengthen environmental resilience across the region.

Tree planting and forest stewardship play a key role in protecting local ecosystems, improving biodiversity and supporting the long-term health of agricultural land.

While the planting itself wrapped up in a single morning, the work doesn’t end there. The Rotary Club and Perth County will continue to monitor and care for the trees over the next two to three years to help ensure they take root and thrive.