This year ACER received 3 grants from the Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund (GLGCF). We worked with Otonabee Region Conservation Authority (ORCA), Quinte Conservation Authority, and Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA).

These projects each involved planting a 1000 trees and shrubs in the spring and fall of 2017 with volunteers and our partner conservation authority. We carried out a benchmark inventory of 10% of what was planted, which was a 100 trees and shrubs. Coded aluminum tags were attached to 100 trees using a zip tie. The trees and shrubs were mapped using Google MyMaps so plants are easier to find at a later date to re-measure. Anecdotal reports were filled out for each planting and/or measuring days.

ACER worked with Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) to plant 1000 trees and shrubs at Clearville Creek. 90 children and 24 adults from the Boy Scouts did the planting. Some planting were done earlier by machine by LTVCA staff. The species planted were Eastern White Pine, American Elderberry, Red Osier Dogwood, and Black Walnut.

ACER worked with Quinte Conservation to plant 1000 trees and shrubs at Loyalist College. Students from Loyalist College planted as a part of orientation day and ecology class over several days. The site already had tall grasses and Purple Loosestrife.

ACER worked with Otonabee Region Conservation Authority to plant 1000 trees and shrubs. Plantings occurred at several sites including Airport Compensation, Rogers Cove, James Stevenson, Bears at Marina, and Hague. 40 grade 10 students from Holy Cross Secondary School planted Airport Compensation.