MEDIA RELEASE- April 7, 2022

Ferguson Forest Centre Arboretum Tree Identification Plaque Program Unveiled

Ferguson Forest Centre Corporation President Carl Doucette is pleased to announce the initiation of the arboretum tree identification plaque program.

President Doucette advised … “Ever since the establishment of the Ferguson Forest Centre Corporation (FFCC) the intent has been to have an arboretum that provides educational, activity and contemplative opportunities for the residents of North Grenville and the immediate area. The community has appeared to embrace the many activities now seasonally available in the 10 hectare arboretum including, among other things, disc golf, groomed cross country ski trails, toboggan hill, walking trails, park land, benches, picnic tables and strategically located and selected trees and shrubs.” He went on to say that now the FFCC has unveiled an opportunity for residents and local businesses to support the FFCC and the arboretum by donating towards the purchase and locating of tree and shrub identification plaques.

The arboretum, among other roles, is intended to serve as a place where trees. shrubs and herb like plants are cultivated and kept for the enjoyment of the general population as well as for educational and scientific study. The tree identification program is designed to enhance FFCC’s forest related educational role and provide an opportunity for public donations to purchase approximately thirty (30) 6x6 inch, 1/8 inch thick aluminum composite ground mounted plaques having a black background and white print with the print reflecting the strategically located trees and shrubs name in Latin (genus and species) , English, French and Algonquin as available, the FFCC logo, a few lines of relevant plant information and the donors name. Carl Cannon, FFCC Board Director and the chair of the committee responsible for the arboretum said …”Individual plaques are available for a donation of $50.00 dollars and each plaque will include the name of the individual or corporate donor. Donations of $500.00 or more will also include the placement of the donor’s name and or corporate logo on the arboretum’s gateway sign.

President Doucette concluded by saying …”The community is encouraged and welcomed to participate in assisting the FFCC in providing more services to the residents of the Municipality of North Grenville and area by donating to the Ferguson Forest Centre arboretum tree identification plaque program. “

The mission of the not-for-profit Ferguson Forest Centre Corporation is to provide policy and direction to the Ferguson Tree Nursey and use the profits thereof to promote the awareness of and interest in forestry (in particular, afforestation and sustainable forest management) and maintain, enhance and promote the responsible use and stewardship of recreational and conservation lands managed by the Corporation for the benefit of the residents of the Municipality of North Grenville and area.

Carl Doucette, President, Ferguson Forest Centre Corporation

The Ferguson Forest Centre (FFC) is seeking community support for the arboretum tree identification plaque program. Please help with the enhancement of the arboretum as a learning, activity and contemplation area for public use and enjoyment by means of a donation towards the purchase of a tree and or shrub identification plaque or plaques.

What is an arboretum? It is a place where trees, shrubs and herb like plants are cultivated and kept for the enjoyment of the general population as well as for educational and scientific study. The FFC plans to locate approximately thirty (30) ground mounted tree identification plaques within the arboretum at strategic points for the purpose of increasing public awareness regarding important local trees, shrubs and other cultivated plants.

The plaques are 6x6 inch, 1/8 inch thick aluminum composite with black background and white print reflecting the subject tree name in Latin (Genus and Species), English, French and Algonquin if available , relevant tree information, FFC logo, and the donor name.

We will attempt to accommodate any request for a specific tree or shrub and associated plaque; however, if it is determined that the tree or shrub is not available, the donation will be automatically applied to an alternative tree or shrub and associated plaque. The complete tree and shrub list can be downloaded here.

The donation fee for each plaque is $50.00. Donors of $500.00 or more will also have their name/logo placed on the arboretum gateway sign. The arboretum tree identification plaque program donor form can be downloaded or completed online. Your assistance, by making a donation for one (1) or more tree identification plaques, is greatly appreciated.

Thank you, Carl Cannon, FFC Corporation Board Director and FEAC Chair

Donate

NORTH GRENVILLE, ON – North Grenville’s Council has declared March 21, 2022, International Day of Forests for the Municipality of North Grenville, as proclaimed by the United Nations.

 Forests play a critical role in the world’s ecosystem given their role in filtering the air around us, keeping water clean as well as helping to mitigate against climate change by absorbing carbon from the atmosphere.

United Nation’s International days are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 March the International Day of Forests in 2012 to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests.

President Carl Doucette expressed on behalf of  the Ferguson Forest Centre Corporation (FFCC) Board and members our sympathy to the family and friends of Nadene Grattan, former FFCC Board member and President who passed away on February 19, 2022. In honour of her memory and service a tree will be planted in her name.

The Ferguson Forest Centre Corporation (FFCC) Board virtually held its annual election for executive officers on February 3, 2022. Board executives re-elected were Carl Doucette (Secretary), Wes Herring (Vice President) and Andre Rancourt (Treasurer). Carl Doucette previously on December 27, 2021 had his term as President extended for another year.

President Carl Doucette is pleased to announce that the Ferguson Forest Centre Corporation has recently finalized new use agreements with three (3) local entities to allow continued access by North Grenville and area residents to a variety of outdoor recreational activities.

Season’s Greetings and Happy New Year from our team at the Ferguson Forest Centre!

It’s been a challenging but very successful 2021, during which we have partnered with local community groups and added a number of superb, COVID-friendly outdoor recreational opportunities for our community. In addition to our long-standing 22 km of recreational trails and the arboretum, new additions in 2021 have included a toboggan hill, groomed cross-country ski trails, an 18-hole disc golf course (yes, it’s being upgraded from 9 to 18 holes!), improvements to the dog park, as well as a kayak launch and bicycle racks at Anniversary Park. Our tree nursery has done incredible work under very difficult COVID pandemic conditions to further improve its nursery products, processes and its profitability, all of which is invested back into our recreational activities.

CTV news coverage of a successful ongoing program by Ecology Ottawa to raise awareness and distribute tree saplings grown by the Ferguson Forest Center. They are on track this year to giveaway a record 15,000 trees, which Ecology Ottawa identifies as the largest free tree giveaway in Ottawa’s history.

https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/record-number-of-free-trees-given-away-by-ecology-ottawa-this-year-1.5601282

Please consider helping to showcase the Ferguson Forest Center by contributing photos of the trails or other FFC recreational activities to the Capture North Grenville Photo Contest running between now and August 22, 2021.  Details, including the link for submitting photos, are below:

A message from the Municipality:

We wanted to share an exciting new initiative with you! The Municipality of North Grenville has launched a 2021 photo contest and is inviting you to participate.

The Capture North Grenville Photo Contest features 5 categories: Nature, Active Living, Urban landscapes, Pets, and Love NG. The top 2 photos per category will be chosen by a panel of 5 judges and awarded prizes from a variety of our local businesses.

We know how much you love your beloved dogs – and I’ve seen some amazing photos taken at the dog park - so thought this contest might be of interest! 

All the details can be found on our website at: www.northgrenville.ca/photocontest

The contest runs for 6 weeks and closes on August 22, 2021.

Thanks!

Jill Sturdy, Corporate Media Relations Officer

Municipality of North Grenville