Trees Ontario and Ontario Power Generation Enlist the Help of Kids to Grow
Native Trees from Seeds

TORONTO, Nov. 3 /CNW/ - Growing a tree from a tiny seed is an up-close, first-hand way to learn about biodiversity, which is why Trees Ontario and Ontario Power Generation (OPG) have teamed up this International Year of Biodiversity to distribute native tree seed kits at the 2010 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.

The seed kit is intended to encourage young Ontarians to get involved in protecting and conserving biodiversity in urban parklands and forest ecosystems and is an initiative of OPG Biodiversity.  Kids will be given a tree seed kit with instructions, including online registration where they can record and track the progress of their own tree.

"At OPG, we believe that industry has a key role to play in conserving, sustaining and protecting nature and fighting climate change," said Tom Mitchell, OPG's President and CEO. "We're pleased to work with Trees Ontario and all our partners to encourage awareness of the importance of biodiversity."

Until the early 1990s, upwards of 30 million trees were planted each year in southern Ontario. By 1998, that number had dropped to less than 2 million.  Trees Ontario is working with partners like OPG, local conservation authorities and stewardship groups, and the provincial government to change this.

"Trees are the lungs of the earth - breathing in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. They help clean our air, restore our watersheds, re-establish wildlife habitat and buffer against the effects of climate change," said Robert H. Keen, RPF, Trees Ontario's a/CEO. "All of us have a role to play in protecting the environment so that we can ensure a sustainable ecosystem and a healthier populace now and for our future generations."

Facts

The native tree seed kits will be distributed from Friday, Nov. 5 to Sunday, Nov. 7 and again Friday, Nov. 12 to Sunday, Nov. 14.  (Booth number 2727)

Since 2000, OPG and its conservation partners have planted more than 4.4 million trees and shrubs on 2,200 hectares of land, helping to conserve forest biodiversity, capture carbon dioxide and help woodlands cope with climate change.

About Trees Ontario

Trees Ontario, working with its partners, is the largest, not-for-profit tree planting partnership in North America. It is committed to the re-greening of Ontario through a range of tree planting activities. The goal of Trees Ontario is to restore the province's tree planting capacity, especially throughout southern Ontario on private lands, by providing funding and planning support for its tree planting partners. These include local Conservation Authorities, Ontario Stewardship Councils, municipal governments and community volunteer groups. To participate, donate and to learn more visit the Trees Ontario website at www.treesontario.ca.

About OPG Biodiversity

OPG Biodiversity is a series of province-wide conservation-focused, family-friendly initiatives sponsored by OPG and its partners -- Rouge Park, The Bruce Trail Conservancy, Ontario Nature, Trees Ontario, LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests), and Earth Rangers.  The goal of OPG Biodiversity is to involve Ontarians in protecting and conserving biodiversity.

For detailed information about upcoming OPG Biodiversity events, visit opgbiodiversity.ca.

For further information:

For media inquiries, please contact:
Media Desk, Ontario Power Generation
1.877.592.4008
[email protected]