Employees from Siemens Canada in Peterborough planted 100 native trees and shrubs at the Riverview Park & Zoo on Wednesday.
The planting was in partnership with Tree Canada and Otonabee Conservation.
A variety of native trees and shrubs, including buttonbush, speckled alder, tamarack, Saskatoon serviceberry, and silky dogwood will increase species diversity and enhance habitat for local wildlife in the area adjacent to the Otonabee River on the Riverview Park and Zoo grounds according to Otonabee Conservation.
“Siemens employees have planted a wide selection of trees in the Peterborough-area in the past ten years, and more than 17,800 trees in total across Canada,” said Ian Almond, Siemens plant manager. “Beautifying our community and contributing to a more sustainable future is a responsibility and an honour. We are grateful to our employees and our local partners who help make it happen.”
“We are thrilled to continue working with Tree Canada and Siemens to make habitat enhancements in our watershed,” said Janette Loveys Smith, Otonabee Conservation CAO/secretary-treasurer. “We value our ongoing partnership and our shared commitment of supporting community engagement and the environment.”
“Riverview Park and Zoo, welcomes over 300,000 visitors a year with no admission fee for outdoor education and recreation. We are home to many native species of wildlife that share our natural spaces on the shores of the Otonabee River,” said Cathy Mitchell, Riverview manager and curator. “This project, with support from our valued partners, will help achieve the goal to further naturalize the shoreline and create more bird and pollinator friendly spaces.”