Let’s get serious about keeping the trees we have and get serious about planting a lot more.
That was the message Prince Edward County farmer Jen Ackerman brought to county council’s Committee of the Whole this (Thursday) afternoon
Ackerman said in the past four years, 358 healthy mature trees had been cut down in the county and only 38 planted.
Ackerman said council was more focused on ruining the landscape with expensive new housing developments than on preserving good land.
She also suggested council pass regulations requiring two trees to be planted on each new building lot approved in the county and suggested some of the revenue from building permits and other development fees be used for a serious tree planting program.
Ackerman asked that county council donate $20,000 to the volunteer County Sustainability Group toward the planting of trees and wildflowers on six acres of land on her farm which is also the location of the now cancelled WPD wind farm. The saplings would be white pine and red oak.
The committee didn’t decide on her request but asked that she bring her request to an Environment Advisory Committee that has recently been formed.
