For the first time since it began three years ago, the highly successful Giving Trees . . . Giving Hope will be held in western PEI this year. This co-operative event between the Canadian Breast Cancer Network (CBCN) and the Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry helps to raise funds for breast cancer awareness efforts by providing Islanders with a wide selection of native trees and shrubs to transplant.
Giving Trees . . . Giving Hope began in 2004 when CBCN member Catherine Mooney approached the department with an idea to allow people to dig up and transplant wild and planted trees and shrubs from public lands for their gardening and landscaping needs. At the same time, people would be asked to provide a voluntary donation which could be used to raise awareness of breast cancer issues.
The 2007 event will held Saturday, May 19, on the Harmony Road (Route #128), just off Route #2, north of Richmond. This property is managed by the Provincial Forest Section and contains a wide variety of native trees and shrubs which can be transplanted for many different uses. Tree species include white ash, red maple, white birch, white spruce, balsam fir, and white pine, while the shrubs include Canada yew, viburnum and mountain ash.
The Giving Trees . . . Giving Hope event will be held throughout the morning, starting at 8 a.m. and ending at noon. Forestry staff and CBCN volunteers will be on hand to offer transplanting tips and gardening advice. Trees will be colour coded by species and landscaping mulch will be provided by Arsenault’s Sawmill in St. Chrysostome. The event goes rain or shine.
“We’re very pleased to be able to partner with this survivor-directed group of volunteers, and bring the Giving Trees . . . Giving Hope event to western PEI,” said Herb Isherwood, Western Forest District Supervisor. “We hope people from this area will come out to learn more about native trees and shrubs, how they can be used to beautify and enrich their homes and properties, and how they can support the efforts of those who have been affected by breast cancer.”