The Trees for Mapleton committee has announced the appointment of forestry specialist Joe Heeg to work with the organization.
Chair Bruce Whale recently welcomed Joe Heeg into the township only to find out he had already been in Mapleton this spring planting trees in his previous job, explains a committee press release.
“Joe is excited to work with the landowners in what he calls a beautiful township to increase the township tree canopy. We would like to introduce Joe Heeg to the community and welcome him,” the release states.
Previous forestry specialist Mark Funk has moved on to manage the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) tree nursery, “so he is still with us in the background to help,” the committee notes.
Heeg can be reached at 519-621-2763 ext. 2259 or jheeg@grandriver.ca.
The committee states Heeg will deliver tree planting programs to private landowners and help them apply for grants to reduce costs.
Heeg studied geography at the University of Guelph and received his masters of forestry conservation at the University of Toronto. Since graduation, he has worked for a small forestry business in Guelph, where he planned reforestation projects and did tree marking, tree felling and dealt with invasive species management. Heeg has also headed hand planting crews to complete numerous tree planting projects.
The Trees for Mapleton committee is made up of local landowners, the GRCA, Wellington County Green Legacy and Mapleton Township.
“This team … is committed to planting trees in the township for both the short term and long term benefits … and looks forward to working with Joe Heeg,” the release states.
