By Staff
November 9th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington has received a generous donation of $10,000 from Union Gas to purchase and plant trees in the area of Upper Middle and Havendale Roads.
Mark Egbedeyi-Emmanuel, Hamilton-Halton District Manager, Union Gas; Mayor-Elect Marianne Meed Ward; Barbara Rabicki, Manager of Forestry, City of Burlington.
The donation will go towards a variety of trees to ensure biodiversity in the area.
The question we had was: why?
The trees within Burlington’s urban forest provide a wide range of environmental, economic and social benefits, including improved air quality, reduced storm-water runoff, energy savings, noise reduction, natural bird and wildlife habitats, higher property values and overall beautification of city streets and parks.
We know that. We also know that Burlington’s tree canopy is far below the generally accepted 30% coverage level.
In a news feature being developed by the Gazette we will report on some disturbing numbers that have been gathered by environmentalist Jim Feilders.
The site that National Homes wants to develop. Havendale is the northern boundary – the planned location for the Union Gas tree donation.
The Brant Street Havendale part of the city is the site of a large residential development that is stalled at this point.
National Homes has proposed a development that would have 233 townhouses built on the site.
The city’s forestry operations includes the oversight of tree protection and preservation initiatives, tree protection standards, pests and disease control and tree planting. City staff also offer tree care tips for the public on this website.
The Union Gas increases to their customers allow for their profits to go towards their choosing of a generous donation for the planting of trees. Why not just reduce our gas costs?? The City’s “Grow Bold” plans think nothing of cutting our trees down to build for the sake of more tax dollars. Not sure I see this picture clearly?? Customers/citizens pockets are always being drained, and it isn’t any wonder why Burlington has become an unaffordable place for our children to live in.
It’s good to see Union Gas do this, and it is in sharp contrast to Hydro One, whose raison d’etre seems to be destroying trees and shrubs far beyond the actual requirements of their transmission corridors.