BC Hydro has provided $4,000 to plant 34 trees in Cranbrook’s Rotary Park, the Mount Baker RV Park, along Baker Street and on 10th Avenue by the Post Office.

The City of Cranbrook provided $6,000 toward the initiative, along with staff time and equipment to plant and maintain the trees.

The funding is through BC Hydro’s Community Regreening program in support of improving visual aesthetics, ecological enhancement and diversifying urban habitats. This year, BC Hydro is providing more than $239,000 in support of 51 projects across the province.

In association with Tree Canada, BC Hydro works with tree planting partners across British Columbia to help with the regreening efforts of municipalities, regional districts, and First Nations communities. The program is specifically designed to consider awareness and sensitivity to the proximity of power lines within each project plan.

Overall program objectives include:
enhancing urban open space; restoring and reclaiming lands to a green state; beautifying parks and outdoor recreation areas; creating habitat and supporting stewardship actions; diversifying and enhancing urban forests.

Last year, approximately 13,000 trees were planted with the support of this program. Up to 13,500 trees will be planted across B.C. as part of the 2016 projects.

During the 21 years of the program, it is estimated that between 300,000 and 325,000 trees have been planted in communities throughout B.C.

For more information on the Community Regreening Program, visit www.bchydro.com/regreening.

Above photo: Pictured, left to right: City of Cranbrook Parks foreman Mathew Pocock and Parks staff Daley Oddy, Taylor Miller, Haley Pelton, Kyra Huston and Heather Gemmell; BC Hydro Kootenay Vegetation Maintenance Coordinator Bill Laflin.

Submitted

Article Share