Students from both Carihi and Timberline highschools volunteered their time and labour with Greenways Land Trust Nov. 25 to plant native plants along side one kilometre of the Jubilee Connector trail.
The large enthusiastic group worked hard to get over 370 native plants, shrubs and small trees in the ground alongside the trail. The 2.5 km Jubilee Connector provides the missing link for a 25 km trail network around Campbell River named the Greenways Loop. The combined 60 students were from Jen Dowler and Ray Wilson’s Grade 10 class of Carihi high and from two of Natasha Ubriaco’s Biology 11 classes of Timberline high. Clay Carlson of Timberline was also involved with coordination.
“We had to do a last minute cancellation of the Public Plant that was planned the day after the student plant due to weather reports of high winds and rain, so fortunately we had a great turnout from the students on the Friday!” said Greenways Operations Manager, Stacey Larsen. “It was encouraging to hear comments from some students on how this was a very new experience for them.”
The plants will now help to add visual interest, wildlife habitat and increase the biodiversity of the trail. Some of the species planted include: Nootka rose, bunch berry, mountain ash, Oregon grape, ocean spray, sword fern and red-flowering currant. There are a wide variety of native species that will add colour and diversity year-round to the trailside.
Pacific Salmon Foundation kindly donated the funds used to purchase the native plants for Campbell River’s newest trail. Greenways will plant the remainder of the trail either next spring or fall. Dowler and Wilson’s Grade 10 class from Carihi have also helped remove invasive blackberry from Baikie Island trails and have helped with a bridge finishing/creek side planting on a tributary of Nunns Creek this fall.
For more information about upcoming events, check out Greenways’ website at www.greenwaystrust.ca or look for them on Facebook and Twitter.