Newsletter

Okanagan/Shuswap Highlights
Debbie Sluggett (Educational Liaison: Bell Pole, Tolko, LP Canada, Downie, RCFC)
Jennifer Stewart (Educational Liaison: Tolko - Riverside)
Debbie Bazett (Forest Education Coordinator, COFI - Southern Operations)

School District #23 Students Attempt Tree Planting Record for Kelowna Centennial Project

Bankhead Elementary students plant their seedlings on Knox Mountain in Kelowna.

As part of the Kelowna’s Centennial celebrations, Central Okanagan students ranging from elementary to secondary set out with their classes on May 5 in an attempt to break a Guinness World Record for the most trees planted by the most people in one day. This event took part on Kelowna’s 100th birthday and was organized by the school district, the Regional District and the City of Kelowna Parks department. With the last record set by a group of 10,000 people in Malaysia planting 100,000 trees, Kelowna’s record-setting feat saw 25,000 students, staff and volunteers plant 145,000 trees in 63 areas around Kelowna, restocking forested areas damaged by fire, disease or insects.

Each student planted six seedlings, which ranged from ponderosa pine to willow, spruce, dogwood and snowberry, depending on the designated planting area. They followed directions on how to plant the trees learned from the school district’s student-made instructional video and from presentations made by regional parks staff at some schools. Discussions had taken place on how to carefully handle new seedlings and on the importance of trees in our communities and forests as a lead-up to the project, so students were enthusiastic about planting trees to help the environment while trying to break a world record at the same time. For those students who lost their homes in the fires that ravaged Kelowna in the summer of 2003, this project was especially meaningful.

A massive undertaking, this event was a great way for students to celebrate the centennial by making a difference in their environment. School district superintendent, Ron Rubadeau challenged the record to be beaten soon, making the comment that breaking it would mean that more trees were being planted in a big way somewhere else in the world. Congratulations to all those who helped to make this venture a resounding success in SD#23!!

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