Environment Lethbridge gets grant to plant mini-forests

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on December 11, 2024.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

Environment Lethbridge has announced they are receiving a grant from Wawanesa Mutual Insurance company, through their “Climate Champions: Local Grants,” to plant mini-forests of drought-resistant trees and shrubs in three locations around Lethbridge.

More than $275,000 was awarded through the Wawanesa Climate Champions: Local Grants, with each recipient receiving a portion of the funding and Lethbridge is one of 13 recipients from across Canada.

Kathleen Sheppard, executive director of Environment Lethbridge told the Herald, they are receiving $24,800 and they are very excited to move forward with the project.

“We’re looking at three different areas where we can explore and demonstrate the value of using native and drought tolerant vegetation,” said Sheppard.

 She said this will allow them to showcase the options Lethbridge has for planting in the future, as climate continues to change.

“We know that things like extreme heat are going to become more prevalent, so we need to find ways for our local urban forests and urban green spaces to adapt overtime,” said Sheppard.

She said at this time they are in the planning stages and need to figure out what type of trees will be planted and the three areas where they will be planted.

“Our goal is to be ready and hopefully start planting in May or June. In terms of the types of trees and the locations we’ll be digging into that in January,” said Sheppard.

When talking about the process, Sheppard said earlier this year Environment Lethbridge submitted an application and were lucky to be selected.

“It’s always great for us to be able to get any sort of funding from outside Lethbridge. We’re bringing those funds into the community and doing some good and interesting projects with them,” said Sheppard.

On top of helping to conserve water, the naturalized areas will also provide valuable urban shading and wildlife habitats, while raising awareness of the advantages of green infrastructure.

“The other benefit is that since our climate is changing, we can find ways to have trees and other types of vegetation that will be adapted to less water and higher temperatures,” said Sheppard.

She added that one aspect of the project is the idea of benefiting everyone, as Environment Lethbridge believes that parks and green spaces should be places where people can play, relax and enjoy nature.

“They should be places where people want to come and be engaged,” said Sheppard.