Clear skies and ideal spring weather greeted Garmin employees and local school students this morning (May 23) as they kicked off a two-day community tree-planting event in Mitford Park.
It’s a highlight of the year for Tim Giese, president of the Cochrane Environmental Action Committee (CEAC), which is leading the Branches and Banks tree-planting initiative for the 27th year.
“You think about the weather we’ve had all week—cold, wet, and miserable—and then we get this beautiful blue sky,” said Giese. “Tomorrow’s supposed to be the same, and next week it’s going to hit the mid-20s. You couldn’t have planned it better,” he added with a chuckle. “And I’ll just say we did plan it that way.”
By the end of the day, volunteers had planted approximately 1,400 native trees and shrubs. Another 550 will be planted during Saturday's community event, which starts at 9 a.m.
Giese said 55 people have already signed up, and more are welcome.
“Bring your spades and shovels and join in,” he encouraged.
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This year’s project has a unique advantage. Thanks to a grant-supported effort by the town and CEAC, high-quality soil was trucked in to make planting easier than in years past.
CEAC contributed around $18,000 to the project, largely funded through proceeds from its popular Farmers’ Markets, held Saturdays in the parking lot of the SLS Centre.
Angie Basha, community liaison for Cochrane Parks and Open Spaces, said the event is a favourite of hers.
“It’s a really exciting time,” she said. “We love having the kids here. We chose a large open space that needed trees and brought in materials to improve planting and tree survival rates.”
Students from three local schools took part in the effort.
Simon Breakwell was one of two teachers from École Notre-Dame des Vallées leading a group of Grade 6 and 7 students.
“It’s a great opportunity for students to contribute to the community,” he said. “The park is close to their school, so it might be a place they visit regularly.”
The planting also aligns with classroom lessons on the environment and biodiversity.
Tyler Sorka, a Grade 10 student in the ROAMS program at Cochrane High, worked up a sweat at the event.
“It’s really important to me. It’s about reconnecting with nature and the people around me—and giving back to the community,” he said.
“It makes me feel like we’re making a difference,” added Kyla Rohleder, also from the ROAMS program. “It might not seem big now, but it will matter down the line.”
Evidence of past plantings is visible in Mitford Park. A healthy stand of spruce trees to the south marks one of three previous planting sites in the area.
Giese gave Garmin credit for helping revive the program, which he had once considered ending. True to form, Garmin employees quickly filled all 30 volunteer spots on their planting team.
“It’s just something we do at Garmin,” said Richelle Moore, senior marketing and communications coordinator. “We love being part of the community, and any opportunity to have a lasting impact—like planting trees—is something we jump on.”
Kyle MacMillan, general manager of West Fraser Cochrane, and woodlands manager Tyler Steneker brought white spruce seedlings and spoke with students about proper planting and care techniques.
“We’re excited to participate with the community and chat with young folks about forestry,” said MacMillan. “It’s neat to think that these kids will come back and see the trees they planted—know they were part of this.”
Ken Wright of Wright Nursery and Gerard Fournier of For Trees supplied the native seedlings and were on-site to assist.
Wright, who has partnered with CEAC for about 25 years, explained the importance of using locally sourced seeds.
“The closer we can get to our seed source, the more successful the project,” said Wright. “The trees evolve with local conditions.”
He noted the unique environmental factors in different areas—like hail in Sundre or Cochrane’s wind and chinooks.
Fournier, who calls Wright a mentor, works with Tree Canada, Forests Canada, and has been involved with the Branches and Banks program for the past five to six years.
