Repurposing felled trees: The Défi Jeunes Marins Urbains 2015

MONTREAL, July 17, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce Borough is currently implementing a program aimed at repurposing trees affected by the emerald ash borer across its territory. These trees – which were previously cut down and converted into wood chips – are now being given renewed life. Some of the recycled wood is sold and distributed in the form of wood chips, boards and trunks. The wood is also used for community beautification purposes, notably taking the form of new park benches and suggestion boxes in community gardens. The sums generated by the sale of the wood may be earmarked for preventive treatments against the emerald ash borer.

The CDN—NDG Borough recently teamed up with the non-profit organization, Jeunes marins urbains, in conjunction with its Défi Marins Urbains 2015. The borough's contribution will consist of supplying recycled wooden boards for the construction of a boat. The wood was dried and converted into boards by Goodfellow Inc. Mr. Lionel Perez, councillor for the district of Darlington in the Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (CDN—NDG) borough and executive committee member responsible for infrastructures, governance and democracy, will unveil the boat during a press conference held at the construction site on July 17, 2015. Mr. Perez will be accompanied by Yves Plante, the navigator responsible for the Défi Jeunes Marins Urbains 2015, and Patrick Goodfellow, president of Goodfellow Inc.

Jeunes Marins Urbains is a new non-profit organization that uses artisanal naval construction as a tool meant to foster community-building and social integration, reclaim wood from ash trees affected by the emarald ash borer, and raise public awareness of the problem posed by this pest. As part of its Défi 2015, Jeunes Marins Urbains will build a 25-foot sailing-rowing boat. Training-construction will take place from July 1 to 21, and some 30 people will be hired to carry out the work. Once the construction is completed, the organization will teach its team how to run the boat, and the team will in turn pass on its knowledge by offering citizens an introductory two-hour course on sailing-rowing on the St. Lawrence River. The boat will set up on site at the Village au Pied du Courant.

Location of the Village: http://bit.ly/1HkJtfw

SOURCE Ville de Montréal - Arrondissement de Côte-des-Neiges - Notre-Dame-de-Grâce

Sophie Landreville, 514 868-3483, Media line: 514 465-1853