Fourth Annual tree-planting Initiative at Cold Creek Conservation Area spearheaded by Ontario Streams

Mayfield students have strong presence at event

By Jim Stewart

Over 400 native trees and shrubs were planted by volunteers from across York and Peel regions at Cold Creek Conservation Area on Saturday afternoon.

The annual planting initiative was organized by Ontario Streams whose motto, “helping people and their rivers,” manifests itself in the group's planting and fish restocking programs at the headlands of numerous rivers across central Ontario.

Kat Lucas, Outreach and Communications Coordinator for Ontario Streams, outlined the goals and logistics of her company's fourth annual planting initiative at Cold Creek.

“We're creating biodiversity by removing invasive species, especially buckthorn. Our crews arrived three days ago to clear buckthorn and prep the planting sites. It's Year 4 for us at Cold Creek so we're starting to see the results of our volunteers' labor. The sumac we planted in 2021 along the roadway behind us is maturing nicely.”

Lucas noted that Saturday's planting contingent was comprised of volunteers from Ontario Streams as well as “young families, retirees, students from Seneca's landscaping program, former King-Vaughan MPP Deb Schulte, a group of Nobleton Girl Guides, and “So Fly” podcast hosts Mitch Duesling and Aldo Pescatore-Tardioli.”

Conspicuous among the participants was a group of six diligent Grade 12 students from Mayfield Secondary School in Caledon—Anita Okoth, Sireen Mursal, Vanessa Sharma, Anoushka Anil, Olivia Athanassoulis, Abbey Bennett—who were celebrating Anita's 17th birthday by planting trees at Cold Creek.

Olivia Athanassoulis outlined the benefits of the tree-planting party: “Just being outdoors with my friends and connecting with nature. It's our last year of high school and it's great to be together outside.

“Athanassoulis's planting partner Abbey Bennett echoed her friend's sentiments.

“Being outdoors is enjoyable—I was studying for a test this morning so this is a nice break from school work. It's really relaxing to do this and help plant the trees.”

The importance of planting trees and community service were two factors that drew Nobleton Girl Guides Charlotte Killman and Celeste Maietta to Cold Creek. Both veteran Guides are accruing community service hours through activities such as tree-planting to earn the prestigious Lady Baden Powell Award.

Maietta—in her seventh year of Guiding—described the benefits of planting native shrubs and trees: “It's fun and we're helping the environment, especially with the deforestation that's taken place due to the wildfires.”

Killman, now in her fifth year of Guiding, noted the importance of camaraderie and the societal benefits of planting trees and shrubs.

“I get to plant with my best friend, Celeste, and I get to take part in something that helps lots of people.”

Charlotte's mom and local Girl Guide leader Meghan Killman accompanied the dynamic planting duo to Cold Creek and acknowledged the connections and service associated with Guiding: “Celeste and Charlotte are part of the First Nobleton Girl Guides.  It's great to be here with the girls and support them in becoming responsible citizens.”

Another pair of responsible citizens across the laneway was a husband-and-wife team, Inkwon and Songsoon Kim who planted over a dozen shrubs and trees in their sizeable zone. The six-year residents of Nobleton were drawn to the beauty of the Cold Creek Conservation nature preserve.

Songsoon noted that “This is a very nice area to plant trees and it will be nice to see them grow.”

Imkwon, leaning on his shovel after a productive and busy afternoon of planting, acknowledged that “After the work, we can enjoy.”

Much work was put in by the Kim Family, Mayfield SS students, Nobleton Girl Guides, a Schomberg Red Wing, Seneca College Landscaping students, former MPP Deb Schulte, the hosts of So Fly, countless other good souls, and the noble folks from Ontario Streams—all for a greater good and for the enjoyment of generations to come.