1,000 shrubs to be planted

Photo: Alyson Skinner

Youth volunteering at TD Tree Days.

In an effort to enhance a park in Penticton and create an effective buffer zone to protect the wetland, the 8th annual TD Tree Days will be taking place this Sunday.

Volunteers will be planting shrubs in Riverside Park, a hub of recreational activity and essential wetland habitat.

“We were just thrilled with the turnout at last year’s event and made tremendous strides in restoring this area that supports life for many species of fish, birds and amphibians,” said Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship executive director, Alyson Skinner. “We have a bit of filling-in of plants damaged by the flooding this spring but mostly we are beefing up the riparian area by planting an additional 1,000 shrubs, with a focus on pollinator plants.”

Last year over 60 volunteers joined together to plant 550 native shrubs. They are still looking for more volunteers to come out and support the good initiative.

“Declining populations of pollinators are a significant threat to biodiversity and global food sources,” Skinner said. “About one in every three bites of food we eat comes to us through the work of insect pollinators."

"Pollinators like shallow water baths for drinking so this is a perfect location for pollinator plants.”

Volunteers are asked to arrive a few minutes early to receive planting instructions and to appropriately for the weather, as well as to bring gloves and a shovel. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

If you would like to volunteer you can sigh up on the TD Tree Days website.