Green Thumbs Unite: OCDSB Students Plant 2,000 Trees, Reforesting MacSkimming Centre and Cultivating Climate Action
This past May, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) witnessed a powerful display of environmental stewardship as approximately 80 high school students from four different schools came together to plant 2,000 trees at the MacSkimming Outdoor Education Centre. This remarkable effort is part of an ongoing initiative to reforest former agricultural fields, transforming them into thriving natural habitats and vital carbon sinks.
Students from Nepean High School, Cairine Wilson Secondary School, Longfields-Davidson Heights Secondary School, and South Carleton High School rolled up their sleeves, digging in to plant a diverse array of native tree species. The young foresters carefully placed white pine, black walnut, shagbark hickory, black cherry, and tamarack seedlings into the earth, contributing to a greener future.
These recent plantings build upon a decade of dedicated work at MacSkimming. Since 2012, more than 10,000 tree seedlings have been planted at the Outdoor Education Centre. This long-term commitment by the OCDSB aims to reforest acres of land that were once used for agriculture, restoring biodiversity and ecological balance.
The reforestation efforts at MacSkimming are a testament to the OCDSB's dedication to climate action. By planting thousands of trees, students are actively participating in the development of carbon sinks, natural systems that absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This hands-on experience provides students with a tangible way to contribute to environmental sustainability and understand the critical role trees play in combating climate change.
The collective efforts of these high school students are not just about planting trees; they're about cultivating a generation of environmentally conscious citizens who understand the importance of protecting our planet. As these newly planted trees grow and flourish, they will serve as a living legacy of what can be accomplished when schools and communities unite for a common, greener good.
