About Let's Tree Wilmot
Our Mission
Let’s Tree Wilmot is a volunteer run non-profit, and a project of the Wilmot Horticultural Society. Community focused, LTW’s goals are to plant and protect trees in Wilmot Township. Through partnerships and cooperation, native species are planted by volunteers both in public spaces and on private lands. Let’s Tree Wilmot actively engages the public in forest stewardship through planting, education and training.
Things We Do
- Started a seedling bed in 2022 to increase the trees available to plant in a variety of locations. This year, 960 seedlings were added to the existing 600 seedlings.;
- Video on tree planting techniques. It is narrated by the tree—check it out by clicking here!
- Tree pruning workshops for homeowners and creating pruning videos. Watch here!
- LTW has created a number of instructional videos on mulching, watering and more. Go to our YouTube channel by clicking here!
- Submitted reports on the health of trees in Youth Optimist Park, New Hamburg, the boulevard trees along Waterloo Street, New Hamburg, and the Wilmot Recreation Complex area.
- Working with Wilmot Township staff to develop enhanced policies and procedures for tree maintenance on Township land
- Numerous articles in local publications and posts on social media helped to create awareness about LTW and to educate on tree care
- Developing long-term plans with several partners for larger forest-building projects
- Obtaining a 2 Billion Trees Capacity Building Grant from Natural Resources Canada for $163,000 over 3 years. Watch the joyful announcement here!
- Working with Wilmot Township on a Tree Canopy Study to adopt and maintain policies to protect and enhance the Township’s tree canopy and natural vegetation.
The LTW Team
The LTW team is made up of volunteer committee members with the help of many community volunteers. We are passionate about planting trees and fostering stewardship, one tree at a time, through community participation.
Marlene Knezevich
Chair, LTW
Director, Wilmot Horticultural Society
Dean Peachey
Chair, Project Committee
Chair, Fundraising Committee
Louis Silcox
Chair, Education Committee
Marlene Knezevich
Communications
Contact us at LetsTreeWilmot@gmail.com for more information or to join our team.
Our Roots
Let’s Tree Wilmot held its first meeting on Wednesday, March 11, 2020 (the day the Covid Pandemic was announced!). This was the culmination of many months of discussions between Nith Valley EcoBoosters, Wilmot Horticultural Society, Rotary Wilmot and the Township of Wilmot. A shared goal of growing the tree canopy of Wilmot Township brought us together.
By the fall of 2020, enough funds were raised to allow LTW to hold its first tree planting event. Following Covid protocols, on Saturday, October 24th, 100 large native trees were planted at Scott Park in New Hamburg. The 53 volunteers who registered (ages 5+) were assisted by the first 7 LTW planting guides. It was a great success.
The following year, activities increased with more volunteers joining and COVID-19 restrictions decreased. Along with Wilmot Township staff, members identified priority locations for planting, selected tree and shrub species suited to the growing conditions, and watered the trees planted the previous year.
Since 2020, Let’s Tree Wilmot volunteers have planted and cared for at least 3,700 native trees and shrubs on Wilmot Township property, Region of Waterloo Baden Hills and 320 more planted on private lands. Trees were planted in Township parks in Baden, New Dundee, New Hamburg, Mannheim, St. Agatha, and Petersburg.
