In April, BC Hydro awarded qathet Regional District (qRD) $7,500 to purchase trees for public recreational properties on Texada Island.
According to a media release, qRD operations department staff purchased and planted the trees in May 2022. The species, sizes and planting locations were determined by qRD public works labourer Alex Mitchell, who is a certified arborist.
The regional district supplied the fertilizer, stakes, deer protection and backhoe services. The new trees were planted at the Van Anda ball field, Gillies Bay ball field, Texada Island Farmers’ Market, and at the Sandpipers Playground.
“I would like to thank BC Hydro for their funding support toward this project which ensured that no tax dollars were used to purchase the trees,” stated Electoral Area D director Sandy McCormick. “The trees are a beautiful addition to our green spaces and will be enjoyed for years to come.”
BC Hydro’s Community ReGreening Program helps fund tree planting related to visual aesthetics and environmental enhancements, the release stated. This is the third time the regional district has been successful in the BC Hydro Grant; the first and second grants in 2019 and 2020 were used to plant trees at the cemeteries.
The project was recommended by the Texada Island Recreation Commission (TIRC) and approved by the qRD board. To learn more about the role of TIRC and other regional district committees and commissions, go to qathet.ca/committees-and-commissions.
