Canal Beach will get a little greener this spring thanks to the Girl Guides.
Alyson Schmitz, leader of the Mt. Cokely Brownies, told city council on March 9 that thanks to a $2000 Girl Guides of Canada TD FEF Tree Planting grant, all four guiding units in the Alberni Valley would like to plant trees at Canal Beach.
“By participating in the program my girls will learn all about trees and shrubs native to the community and how they support the local ecosystem,” Schmitz said, adding that the girls would also learn about climate change and environmental stewardship.
The grant funding will be used to purchase trees and to pay for any associated planting costs but not equipment. Schmitz said that she hoped to work with community groups and the city in order to borrow equipment.
The Brownies hope to plant on April 25 in honour of Earth Day on April 22, Schmitz said.
“We would like this to be a community Girl Guide event supported by the city and we would like this to be something our girls and our community can be proud of.”
While Schmitz said she had received encouragement and support from the Klitsa Garden Club, director of parks, recreation and heritage Scott Kenny and horticulture and parks operations supervisor Jacob Colyn, city council formally made a motion to support the Girl Guides’ tree planting efforts.
“I would say, girls, you have exactly what you need. Thank you very much for your initiative and enthusiasm,” Mayor Mike Ruttan said.
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