Four-year-old Jaxon Tourout is happy to help dad Rhyan by getting his hands dirty planting trees and shrubs.
The older Tourout is one of many TD employees across the region to dig in and help beautify the Chippewa Creek EcoPath, and help reduce erosion as part of TD Tree Days.
“We like to take him out to a couple of volunteer or charity events each year just to get him used to it, and to know that it’s important, something you should be doing,” said Tourout.
Seeing his tree grow and knowing he had a hand in planting it, is something Jaxon will appreciate as he gets older.
“He’s been doing this for a few years now. He knows every time we come out we’re helping the planet and he’s excited.”
Local branch manager Alyssa Favero organized the planting together with the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority.
“It’s all about helping regreen our planet. TD is committed to making sure we’re focusing on making an inclusive and sustainable tomorrow,” said Favero.
“We have over 30 volunteers, not including the little ones that are with us, to help plant 500 trees and shrubs native to the area. The money comes from donations from customers, and all the money that gets raised here in town stays locally. We’ve actually done five regreening projects here in the city. We’ve planted over 1,125 plants over a five year period.”
The planting area along the EcoPath was chosen because it was open, lacking vegetation.
Volunteers planted white pine, red oak, ironwood, red-osier dogwood, New Jersey tea, and hardhack.
“The more plants there are along or adjacent to the shoreline, the more deep rooting plants there are, the more they can protect the creek by drawing up water and preventing runoff. Planting right along the shoreline, helps prevent erosion,” said Sue Buckle, NBMCA Manager Communications and Outreach.
“It’s also about creating an atmosphere in terms of having a green city, and a tree-like city. But from an environmental perspective, it will help prevent any excess nutrients from getting into the creek. Trees also provide shade, keeping the creek cool, which is good for the aquatic habitat within the creek as well.”
Andrea Tomasini, who is also a TD branch manager in North Bay, says having staff and family members along with the community all pitching in, will benefit the city for generations to come.
“It’s extremely meaningful for us to be part of this. Friends of the Environment is something that TD has held near and dear to its heart for several years now. While TD Tree Days are more of a new initiative that we’ve embraced, it’s something we look forward to every year,” said Tomasini.
“It’s probably where we garner the largest community involvement from our staff because it gets everybody out and doing something great for our community and our environment.”
TD District Vice-President, Max Leclerc, appreciates the involvement from people of all ages.
“This is about bringing people together to give back to the community. One of our pillars of community giving is the environment, and we want to make sure that we are giving people the opportunity to plant trees and give back by adding some green space and protecting the environment.”
TD launched its new corporate citizenship platform called the Ready Commitment this year. It’s a multi-year initiative which includes a commitment to plant one million trees across the country by 2030.
