Shovels and seedlings for 2,200 new trees in Windsor

A green space in Windsor is now home to2,200 new seedlings after more than 1,000 peopleturned out to plant trees in East Riversidefor Earth Day.

The annual tree planting event has taken place around Earth Day since 1999.

"We estimate that we had about 1,300 people here through the course of the day," said DanielleBreaultStuebing, director ofcommunications for theEssexRegion Conservation Authority. Within twohours, ERCA estimates more than 2,000 trees were planted by those attending the event.

The crowds carrying shovels and moving mulch for ERCA were a multicultural bunch.

"We loved the chance to be represented by a very diverse community... it really is something that is so Canadian especially in this year of Canada's 150th birthday," said BreaultStuebing.

The addition of more than 2,000new plants may not be immediatelyobvious in the area.

"I think within a year or two, you'll start seeing more than just grass," said Paul Giroux, a forester with the City of Windsor."You're going to start seeing a small canopy. You're going to start seeing birds, start noticing these perches."

Giroux's favourite part of Sunday's event had less to do with the environmental aspects and more to do with the people.

"I love watching the kids come out with their grandparents and planting a tree for a future generation," he said.