Lacombe will soon have a new forest, with the mayor attending the groundbreaking ceremony on June 6.
A partnership between St. Andrew's United Church and the City of Lacombe will see a forested haven planted on a 1.7-acre municipal reserve west of Woodland Drive.
“Our mission is to transform a grassy municipal reserve into a natural forest ecosystem, planting 100 primarily native species of trees as well as shrubs, perennials and grasses,” said Dianna MacLeod, co-chair of the church’s Green Team.
The aptly named Woodland Sanctuary celebrates the 100th anniversary of the United Church of Canada.
Planting will begin the morning of June 6, with Mayor Grant Creasey attending and speaking at the noon groundbreaking ceremony. He will help plant the elder tree using golden shovels along with the help of members from the church and Green Team.
Additional planting dates are June 7, 20 and 21. Planting will be done in groups of 10, supervised by Cynthia Pohl of Living Lands Landscape and Design, who designed the project.
“We are only planting with shovels; we don't want machinery polluting the air. We don't want to create more carbon than we're sequestering with these trees, so we're going to plant them by hand,” said MacLeod.
Once completed, Woodland Sanctuary will provide shade, habitat for wildlife and pollinators, and a quiet natural refuge for residents.
For more information or to volunteer, phone 587-306-0191 or email greenteam@lacombeunitedchurch.ca.
Donations of $200 per tree are being accepted to help fund the project, and a commemorative book is being planned to honour donors.
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