Vancouver, BC — 10/05/2017 — Eight-thousand children have been planting trees this year to mark Canada’s 150th birthday.
“We incorporated the tree planting activity as part of our Canada 150 theme. The campers were really excited that they were planting a grove of trees to commemorate this milestone. They also loved the idea that they would be creating something that would become a permanent feature of camp, for future campers to enjoy,” said Ilana Stoch, Director, Camp Kodiak. “Most campers had never had an opportunity to plant a tree before, so this was also a new and fun experience for them. Thank you so much, ChariTree!”
The ChariTree Foundation partnered with The Canadian Camping Association, to offer free seedlings to campers at summer camps from coast-to-coast. “Planting a tree is a powerful way to teach kids that they can make Canada and the world a better place,” said Andrea Koehle Jones, Founder, The ChariTree Foundation, Canada’s national environmental education charity for children. “Let’s give kids opportunities to fall in love with nature in order to protect it, because you protect what you love and there is so much to love about Canada.”
Canada is home to 10% of the world’s forests but millions of Canada’s trees are lost to forest fires, extreme weather and logging each year.
“I am so proud of every child that planted a tree in honour of Canada’s 150th,” said Koehle Jones. “Planting trees is so Canadian and these kids are going to be changemakers.”
The ChariTree Foundation provides campers with native species like Lodgepole Pine, Jack Pine, Douglas Fir, White Spruce, White Pine and Birch depending on their region and tree zone.
These days many children have less time and fewer opportunities to connect with nature. This is a real loss because research shows that contact with nature makes kids feel better about themselves.
“Our Nature Camp kids spent the week learning all about how things grow and how to nurture their environment. They worked hard to dig holes, plant their trees, haul water and even name them! At the end of the day they had the satisfaction of knowing their hard work was going to grow into something very special that would last for many years to come,” said Jake Paleczny, Director of Programming and Education,Yukon Wildlife Preserve.
The ChariTree Foundation strives to give as many children as they can a tree of their own. It’s about supporting environmental education programs for children by giving kids a tree to plant at their home, camp or school that is native to their region and an opportunity to connect with nature and contribute positively to their world. With ChariTree, kids are learning to help animals by protecting and restoring their forest habitats by planting trees.
ChariTree’s climate change solution is simple. We provide environmental education to children now, so when they grow up they will be better prepared to lead on climate.
Media Contact
Andrea Koehle Jones, Executive Director, The ChariTree Foundation – Canada’s national environmental education charity for children.
charitree-foundation.org