Residents of the Town of Cochrane in Alberta participated in the 28th annual Branches and Banks community tree planting event and helped plant about 2,850 trees and shrubs in Mitford Park.

The public planting event, called Branches & Banks, is organized annually by the Cochrane Environmental Action Committee in partnership with the Town of Cochrane. This year, residents got together on May 23 at noon near the Mitford Ponds. The cost of this annual tree planting is supported by proceeds from the Cochrane Farmers’ Market.

A day before the community took charge, over 90 local school students and teams from Garmin, Avenue Living, and the Town of Cochrane did their bit by planting 2,100 trees in the large-scale environmental restoration effort. Residents of all ages joined the efforts the next day, planting an additional 740 trees and shrubs.

The tree planting location changes each year based on which area needs the most attention, especially near rivers, ponds, and other natural water areas. The Town of Cochrane helped prepare the site this year by adding fresh topsoil, making it much easier to plant trees and helping them grow better. Organizers offered enough tools, snacks, and refreshments for about 100 volunteers. Since the program’s inception in 1996, volunteers have helped plant close to 45,000 trees and shrubs across Cochrane.

Source: Noel Edey, CochraneNow