The City of Quinte West is being asked to support another initiative which honours members of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Representatives from the Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign updated councillors on the progress of the program, which sees trees planted along highway 401, between Quinte West and the coroner’s office in Toronto.
Campaign Chair Mark Cullen says the number of tress is not only significant in amount, but in meaning as well.
Council was asked to commit $100,000 to the program, over four years and if that request is approved, would make Quinte West the second-largest contributing municipality to the program and would also make Quinte West a “beacon city”, encouraging other municipalities to make ongoing commitments to the program.
Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign Chair Mark Cullen makes a presentation to Quinte West Council, on January 21, 2019. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Cullen says the program has raised more than $4 million of its $10 million goal since the first tree was planted in Quinte West three years ago.
Since it began in 2003 the organization has planted 90,000 trees along the highway.
Communications Manager Mike Hurley added that planting the trees leads to environmental benefits like beautification of the highway and purification of the air.
He also says current soldiers have joined the programs planting days as a therapeutic way to deal with losing friends in battle.
The funding commitment decision was deferred to upcoming budget deliberations, but you can learn more about the program by clicking here to visit the HOH Tree Campaign website.
