Wellington County got a little greener last week.
About 100 county employees and their families participated in the third annual Warden’s Tree Planting Day.
About 3,500 trees were strategically planted under the county’s Green Legacy program as living snow fences and shelter belts on the Kalbfleisch family farm.
The event is the official kick off to the county’s windbreak and shelter belt program. The county hopes to encourage local landowners to plant living snow fences on private property along Wellington roads. Lines of trees can block drifting snow and reduce the number of whiteouts during storms.
“I want to thank all of the individuals who helped plant trees today,” said Warden John Green. “This is an exciting project for the county and I hope local landowners are inspired to follow suit and allow windbreaks to be planted on their property. Living snow fences will make county roads safer during the snowy winter months.”
County director of planning Gary Cousins said, “There are many benefits for these types of strategic plantings. Windbreaks can increase crop yields significantly, and most importantly they can control blowing snow and drifts on roads.”
Councillor Walter Trachsel, the chairman of the county’s planning committee said, “Planting trees is a simple way to improve the environment. Since 2004, the county has planted over 760,000 trees under the Green Legacy program.
“The Green Legacy program continues to set the environmental leadership bar high.”
During Arbour Week, the county will plant 154,000 trees in Wellington with the help of local municipalities, schools, conservation authorities, service clubs, organizations and private landowners.
Mapleton was chosen because it is a large rural municipality but is among the lowest in Wellington County when it comes to tree cover. As well, its roads are heavily affected by drifting snow.
