The South Nation Conservation Agency (SNC) and the Raisin Region Conservation Agency (RRC) announced success for their annual spring tree planting programs for their watershed areas in the seven counties of Prescott, Russell, Stormont, Dundas, Leeds, and Grenville.

“We’re proud to be adding so many native trees and shrubs to the local landscape in Eastern Ontario,” stated Taylor Campbell, SNC representative. “We hope this work will help create both a greener summer and future.”

Despite the current COVID-19 pandemic situation, the two conservation agencies managed their own annual tree planting programs to help maintain and enhance the existing forest cover in the two watersheds bordering the Ottawa River. The SNC and RRC were also able to host their annual seedling giveaway projects that provided local landowners with 17,500 free tree seedlings and shrubs for planting in May. The seedlings and shrubs, which include several nut-bearing varieties, will also help enhance the local forest cover and also provide future food sources for various kinds of wildlife.

More than 180,000 trees and shrubs native to the region were planted through the two conservation authorities’ own tree planting programs. SNC staff planted 140,000 trees across the Five Counties region and in Leeds and Grenville counties and in Ottawa’s rural area. That figure includes 50,000 trees planted in the Larose Forest, which borders The Nation Municipality and the Village of Bourget in Clarence-Rockland. RRC staff planted 40,000 trees through Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry and Cornwall’s rural area.

More free tree giveaways are planned for autumn in the cities of Ottawa and Cornwall and in South Glengarry Township.