Greater Sudbury marked a milestone Thursday – the 10 millionth tree was planted as part of a re-greening effort that began more than four decades ago.
The tree was embedded near the William Bell Gazebo in Bell Park, an event photographed by a large crowd and dignitaries including British primatologist and anthropologist Jane Goodall, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Environment and Climate Change Minister Stephen Guilbeau.
While some of Goodall’s fans were at the event, so were a small number of protesters who periodically interrupted speeches, including when she and Trudeau spoke. They held banners and signs addressing various issues and did not appear organized.
“Center for Environmental Innovation”
Mayor Brian Bigger said that when he was a child in Sudbury in the 1960s, the area was “black rock, dead stumps and a desolate landscape”. Environmental devastation from mining was widespread.
Coniston, Ont., is shown in 1979, left, before re-greening efforts, and then again in 2006. (City of Greater Sudbury)
“Who would have imagined that within a generation — roughly 40 years — we would transform our city into a center of environmental innovation and reclamation,” Bigger said.
“This is globally significant and a cause for hope.”
The reforestation program began in 1978. Since then, 80,000 hectares of land have been ecologically restored.
Bigger said the work isn’t stopping, despite the milestone.
“We still have over 30,000 hectares of land that remains unreclaimed. Just imagine what our city will look like in a few more decades.”
Trudeau waves to some of the attendees at a tree planting event in a gazebo at Bell Park in Greater Sudbury. (By Ashishvangh/CBC)
Trudeau said the planting of Greater Sudbury’s 10 millionth tree after almost 45 years of reforestation efforts is a great example of hope.
“Planting trees is not just about planting seedlings – it’s about planting hope, it’s about planting a future,” he said.
“It’s a reminder that as simple as planting a tree may seem, it’s proof positive that each of us can make a difference.”
Guilbeault also helped with the tree planting portion of the event.
Trees are crucial to the fight against
Any day I plant a tree is a good day in my books. 🌳 🐿 pic.twitter.com/69SRzOAVa3
—@s_guilbeault
Goodall, 88, told viewers she was in Sudbury 20 years ago — when re-greening efforts were already underway. She said she has traveled the world speaking about ways to protect the environment.
“To see the way Sudbury’s landscaping has progressed in these 20 years is absolutely amazing.”
Goodall said young people are her reason for hope.
“I’ve seen it here in Sudbury 20 years ago and today, young people take their time off to plant trees, raise fish, release [fish] back to create the ecosystems in your lakes and your hills.”
Peter Beckett was one of the first workers on the re-greening program in Greater Sudbury. He is now Chair of the Greater Sudbury Vegetation Enhancement Technical Advisory Panel. (Angela Gemmill/CBC)
Peter Beckett was among the people who worked on the re-vegetation effort in the beginning and is now the chair of the Greater Sudbury Vegetation Technical Enhancement Advisory Panel (VTAC).
“At this time [1978]we would never have expected that we would have this celebration today and that the program would last this long,” he said.
“It took a long time, but through sheer persistence and hard work by all the citizens of Sudbury, we got to this day.”
But Beckett said the work isn’t done yet.
“The program will continue. It will probably continue until we have re-grown every hill that is barren green in Sudbury.”
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