The seeds of a brand new forest were sown here on Sunday.
A local auto parts manufacturer hosted the TG Minto Afforestation and Family Fun Day on Sept. 11.
Approximately 900 volunteers, including employees and their families, community residents, and local government officials, joined in planting 7,500 trees and later enjoyed a barbecue and an exclusive concert by Canadian Rock band The Trews.
“The Afforestation Project is a global initiative from TG Japan to create a green wall around the perimeter of the property. Afforestation is important to Toyoda Gosei because we are committed to bettering the environment in which we live and work,” the company stated in a press release.
The Plant Afforestation Project was started in 2009 to honour the 60th anniversary of Toyoda Gosei’s founding. Since then, the company has planted approximately 290,000 trees at 25 locations, three of which are in North America.
This is the first time the Toyoda Gosei Group has held an “Afforestation” event in Canada.
“At Toyoda Gosei, we are committed to the environment and the communities where we live and work,” said Naoki Miyazaki, president of Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd. “We are actively involved in local and global activities for environmental conservation that protect biodiversity, prevent global warming and create an environment where humans, business and nature can coexist.”
With this project, the Toyoda Gosei Group “aims to make a positive impact in the local environment, increase greenery at group company plants, raise employees’ environmental consciousness and cultivate solidarity, and enhance ties with local communities.”
The company states tree and shrub species environmentally suited to the climate are planted in a mix and density that creates true woodlands that are resistant to natural disasters and do not require human management.
At this event, 25 species including maple, oak, and American elm were planted on the periphery of the company grounds.
Sunday’s event, which included children’s activities and guided plant tours, was also a celebration of the 15th anniversary of the opening of the Palmerston plant.
