White City Celebrates Earth Day with Planting of 160 Trees

In celebration of Earth Day 2021 The Town of White City will be working with residents in the town’s McKenzie Development to plant 160 trees the weekend of April 30, 2021.

The town is looking forward to working with residents to plant 160 trees between McKenzie Pointe and Highway 1. White City and residents of McKenzie Point began working together beginning Fall 2020 on a tree planting plan located directly behind McKenzie Pointe to reduce traffic noise and increase the aesthetic appeal of the neighbourhood.

The partnership aligns with the town’s goal to continue adding into one of its most valuable assets: White City’s Urban Forest.

An Urban Forest Management Strategy is a project highlighted in White City’s 2021 Annual Budget. The strategy is being developed to support the town’s urban forest, maintain and renew trees in the community. The town’s request for proposals for the development of an Urban Forest Management Strategy closed April 1, 2021 and the strategy is expected to be complete in 2021.

“Trees live a long time and need to be carefully planned for and managed, we also need to have a plan in place to replace trees that may be lost due to age, weather and other causes,” said Town Planner Mauricio Jiménez. “White City’s Urban Forest is an extremely valuable asset to our community and provides many valuable ecosystem services including improving air quality, controlling floods, beautifying neighbourhoods, reducing energy use, providing a habitat for wildlife and providing recreation opportunities.”

White City’s goal is to become the second certified tree city in Saskatchewan by 2022, and the tree planting partnership along with the Urban Forest Management Strategy will help the town achieve its goal.