Press Release from National Capital Commission NCCN-15-06-02-NR | En français
June 9, 2015 – A Commitment to Canadian Native Maples
The National Capital Commission (NCC) is pleased to announce its commitment to planting Canadian native maples on its urban lands, whenever the planting calls for a maple tree. Mr. Russell Mills, Chair of the NCC Board of Directors, and Dr. Mark Kristmanson, Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, joined Mr. Ken Jewett, Founder and President of the Maple Leaves Forever Foundation at a commemorative event, to highlight this partnership.
“We are pleased to reiterate our commitment to the Maple Leaves Forever Foundation and its objective to restore Canadian native maples to our capital landscape,” said Dr. Mark Kristmanson, Chief Executive Officer of the National Capital Commission. “This partnership will contribute to building a capital that is authentically symbolic of our great country.”
“We value our partnership with the NCC for the planting of Canadian native maples,” said Mr. Ken Jewett, Founder and President of the Maple Leaves Forever Foundation. “The maple leaf is our country’s most recognizable symbol and it is only fitting that Canadian native maples grace the canvas that is our nation’s capital.”
As part of its annual tree planting program, the NCC has been working with the Maple Leaves Forever Foundation for several years towards the planting of Canadian native maples supplied by nurseries associated with the foundation. The NCC values the many arboricultural benefits of the Canadian native maple and continues to diversify its urban forest to maintain a healthy tree population.
Since 2010, over 500 maples have been planted on NCC lands and, of those, more than 160 Canadian native maples have been planted as part of our partnership with the Maple Leaves Forever Foundation. As we move forward with Capital improvement projects and annual tree planting initiatives, 20% of our plantings will be Canadian native maples.
Maple Leaves Forever is a charitable foundation that advocates and supports the planting of Canadian native maples in increasing numbers across the rural and urban landscape of Ontario.
VIEW THE Ottawa Citizen VIDEO COVERAGE of the June 9 Event >
Photos of the June 9 event courtesy Carl Mansfield for Maple Leaves Forever:
