Terwillegar Park got some spruce-ing up Thursday. Dozens of green thumbs gathered with gloves and shovels to pull weeds and plant trees in the park for National Tree Day. The event was organized by Tree Canada in collaboration with the City of Edmonton’s Root for Trees program. Volunteers helped support the park’s local biodiversity by applying compost and rooting out invasive species; they also helped plant about 500 native trees, bushes and shrubs. “Native plants are important because they’ve evolved in this place, so the whole ecosystem kind of revolves around the interconnectedness of those trees and shrubs,” said program liaison Lindsay Vander Hoek. “What we’re doing today is like giving a boost to the ecosystem,” she added. “Part of that is allowing the plants to grow the way that they may have in nature … the benefits are many, including climate resilience.” She said other benefits to a healthier urban forest include improved air quality, mitigating flood risks, capturing carbon and reducing heat. The next tree planting event will be held on Sept. 27 at noon in Kinsmen Park for Orange Shirt Day. Details can be found on the City of Edmonton website.
