For 100 years, the Canadian Lions Club chapters have been helping support their local communities through various initiatives. To mark the centennial celebration, various clubs will join together in 2020 to plant 100,000 trees across Canada.
Doing their part to celebrate this momentous occasion, the Brighton Lions Club decided they would like to focus their celebration planting efforts alongside Lower Trent Conservation, at Proctor Park conservation area. This is an appropriate fit, as the donation of the conservation area was coordinated by the Lions club in 1970. Previous to that, the Brighton Lions Club members organized and oversaw the maintenance of the property. This involved the maintenance of the old toboggan hill within the park, to the development of the walking trails. Proctor Park has now been under management of Lower Trent Conservation for the past 40 years.
The club met with the conservation lands manager, David Beamer early in 2020 and came up with a planting plan with a diverse native tree and shrub list. The club then moved forward and donated $1000.00 worth of plants for Lower Trent Conservation. They also participated in putting the trees and shrubs into the ground. “Even a pandemic could not stop this club,” said David Beamer, “with shovels and masks they were able to finish the job in record time.” The planting took place on the south side of the current road and aligns with the 2019 Proctor Park conservation area improvement plan. A sign will be installed recognizing the club’s efforts in the near future.
“With one the Lions values being protecting and improving the environment to make you community a healthier place to live for everyone, it seems fitting to organize the planting for the conservation area that is the heart of this community,” says Rhonda Bateman CAO of Lower Trent Conservation, “We appreciate the time and effort that the Brighton Lions Club has put forward in helping us continue in improving this beautiful area for our community to enjoy.”
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Photo 1:
Left to right: Jane Keeler, Sue Joly, Owen Gibb, Ted Cook– Brighton Lions Club at Proctor Park
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
