Trees Riverview reflects on 2022 accomplishments
by Carol Thiessen
As the trees awaken after their winter rest and Riverview moves from winter white to spring green, we at Trees Riverview are grateful for a community that cares about sustaining and growing our urban forest. We are also saddened by the continued loss of mature trees to disease, including numerous cut down along the river this winter.
Trees Riverview remains committed to doing our part to protect, restore, and enhance the public tree canopy in the Riverview neighbourhood of Winnipeg. Last year we oversaw the addition of 44 trees to our community’s boulevards and public spaces. We organized a tree wrapping event to protect riverbank trees from beaver damage. And we’ve contributed to City policy deliberations on an Urban Forest Strategy and more. If you’re interested in reading more on the year past, you can find our annual report for 2022 here.
You’ll find that annual report on our brand new website: www.treesriverview.com. We’re thrilled to have an attractive online home for updates on our work and helpful information on replacing trees. Check it out! We’re equally pleased to have a new logo, which takes its inspiration from the iconic tree on Churchill Parkway near Eccles Avenue. A big thank-you to Electric Monk Media who did the design work and Assiniboine Credit Union who provided a grant for this work.
Leaving the Riverview community by car may pose some headaches this summer–with lane closures on the St Vital Bridge (as well as Jubilee Avenue). However, the bridge rehabilitation also comes with a green gift. Trees Riverview and other stakeholders requested an ambitious tree replacement plan for trees lost due to the project. We’ve recently learned that the consultant team brought an arborist into the project and significantly increased the number of trees to be planted in areas adjacent to the bridge work. For every one tree that is being removed, five new trees will be planted. They have selected disease- and salt-resistant tree species, primarily shade trees.
Our plans for the upcoming tree planting season are still in flux, with some hoped-for grants not materializing. We await news on other opportunities and will keep you informed. Stay tuned.
