"Green spaces can boost children’s attention resources and ‘may enable children to think more clearly and cope more effectively with life’s stresses."
-according to a study published in Environment & Behaviour
In the horticulture industry you get a virtual look into what you reap and sow which to me is a rewarding and satisfying job. One of my favourite days to sow back into the horticulture industry is National Tree Day. This year for National Tree Day (September 25, 2013) we were able to plant 7 trees at 7 schools in the Niagara Region. We had generous support with tree donations from Willowbrook Nurseries, Vermeer’s Garden Centre and Rice Road Greenhouses. A huge thank you also goes out to Elizabeth Davies from the Niagara Catholic District School Board, Alena Dawson and Laura Degraaf from Snips who were part of the planting team and helped to make this a huge success.
The following schools were proud recipients this year:
- K. Wigg, Fonthill
- St. Ann’s, Fenwick
- Alexander Kuska, Welland
- St. Augustine, Welland
- St. Mary’s, Welland
- Forestview, Niagara Falls
- Kate S. Durdan, Niagara Falls
A classroom or eco-team of students were selected to help plant the tree with our help. The grades were from kindergarten to grade 8 and it’s amazing to see how young kids understand how important trees are. I love seeing the unique and creative ideas each school does for National Tree Day. Most of the schools name their tree and some put together a thank you speech or prayer for their tree. The children easily take on ownership of their work. They proudly proclaim they are going to be security guards of their tree and are eager to be put on the watering schedule.
National Tree Day would not be a success if not for the generous support of the great team involved. Thanks again for all of the support we had. I look forward to next year’s National Tree Day adventures.
Kristi Montovani
General Manager