Volunteers planting rare trees at the Georgian Bay Islands National Park.
Submitted by MNO Georgian Bay Métis Council Chair Larry Ferris
Recently, Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) citizens, including youth with the MNO Georgian Bay Métis Council, worked with the North Simcoe Anglers and Hunters Conservation Club to reintroduce several heritage species trees to their area. The trees included three large butternut, one elm and one Ohio buckeye chestnut, each of which was two to three metres tall.
The trees were planted at the Georgian Bay Islands National Park. While the park usually doesn’t involve itself in volunteer efforts, the planting of the trees was well received and encouraged by Brian Charles, the park’s Aboriginal Liaison Officer. Charles recognized that the cultural and historical importance of the trees would be important within the Aboriginal communities.
Park staff will be maintaining the trees in order to ensure they will be a good seed source for future plantings as well as educational value for visitors interested in the cultural history of the area.
Published on: January 6, 2016