GORDON/BARRIE ISLAND—To promote and encourage others in the township, Manitoulin, and the world to help take care of our environment, Gordon/Barrie Island township planted an apple tree at its Earth Day celebrations held April 19.
“We welcomed everyone here today to celebrate Earth Day, and as a symbol of the day we are planting an apple tree,” said Lee Hayden, reeve of Gordon/Barrie Island to township staff members and about 17 local residents who took part.
Earth Day Canada is an environmental organization that helps individuals, municipalities and organizations reduce their impact on the environment by taking concrete action not only on Earth Day but every day of the year, said Reeve Hayden.
In addition to a large-scale awareness campaign on April 22, Earth Day Canada continues to roll our environmental programs and projects with proven positive impacts in areas such as waste management, tree planting, food waste and sustainable mobility.
“We here at Gordon/Barrie Island support these endeavours and hope to inspire and facilitate actions for individuals and organizations to reduce their environmental impact,” said Reeve Hayden. “Some ways we do this as a municipality is to encourage people to compost waste. This is a biggie but is something that is simple and that we all can do.”
“For 2024 we are here to plant this apple tree as a symbol of our commitment to the environment,” said Reeve Hayden. “Furthermore, we will be handing out garbage bags for community clean up beginning today. We hope our residents will volunteer to pick up trash all weekend. Earth Day 2024 is on Monday, April 22.”
“Furthermore, on May 24 we will be planting a line of pine trees along the northern border of our property here to enhance the beauty of our municipal office and to protect against the northwest winds. This event is part of the Canada-wide tree planting relay. Check our website and our Facebook page for more details,” said Reeve Hayden.
Gordon/Barrie Island Councillor Isobel Harry explained that Earth Day is an annual event held on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. It was first proposed as a day to honour the earth and the concept of peace. The first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970, and is now coordinated globally in more than 193 countries.
“We are planting a tree today for many reasons,” said Councillor Harry. “Trees bring communities together. Trees are a focal point and identify meeting spots in our neighbourhoods and our memories. Trees nourish us; trees not only offer us shade, beauty or habitat for wildlife, but they can also offer the bounty of food! This tree will grow apples for humans and some animals and birds.”
“Trees are an investment with compounding benefits,” said Councillor Harry. “As the tree grows in size, it captures more and more carbon, intercepts more sunlight and gives an ever-expanding amount of space for people and animals to live and enjoy.”
“Trees are gifts for the future. As we plant a new tree, imagine what it will become in 50 years. Remember that the trees of today will become the landmarks of the future,” continued Councillor Harry.
Trees are a natural solution to climate change, Councillor Harry said. “One way in which trees reduce the severity of climate change is through carbon sequestration. A tree that lives to 100 years old in a typical Canadian forest can capture a huge amount of carbon.”
Reeve Hayden and Councillor Harry took part in planting the apple tree. Everyone then gathered in the community centre for cookies and tea, and to pick up Earth Day t-shirts, seeds and baseball caps, and garbage bags for community clean-up.
