A NOTE FROM MARK CULLEN: A Punctuation Mark on Our Campaign
No one on the Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign team would say that they are committed to this campaign to win an award.
However, when one comes along, we are surprised and delighted.
Such is the case with this special award from the trade association that represents Canada's green profession: the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association.
Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign Receives a Special Award
The Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign is near and dear to us. As volunteer Chair of this endeavour, which is planting 117,000 trees on the Highway of Heroes between CFB Trenton and the coroner's office in Toronto. One tree for each Canadian lost at war since 1812.
Plus 1.8 million more trees on "the other side of the farmer's fence" to acknowledge each Canadian who volunteered for military service during times of war.
This month we received excellent news: our campaign is being awarded the Green for Life Community Achievement award from the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association. With over 5,000 professional members from coast to coast to coast, this organization is considered the consummate authority in the trade.
This award is extraordinary. To earn it, our volunteer-based organization had to meet strict criteria, including:
Community spirit. The Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign engages politicians, staff, private sponsors and individual donors and volunteers to plant a living tribute that will last for many generations.
Innovation. Our campaign engages state of the art planting techniques that have been field-tested by Vineland, Centre for Innovation. Our goal is to maximize the survival rate of all trees planted.
Environmental Sustainability. We have determined that these trees, planted near the busiest highway in North America, will sequester over 3 million tonnes of carbon over 100 years, produce 520 million pounds of oxygen each year (as they reach maturity) and release over 200 million gallons of cooling water into the air each day.
Community Impact. The largest public display of memorial trees in the world will transform the experience of driving the 401 highway for many generations to come. As trees mature, they will self-regenerate. Is it possible that a squirrel will be able to travel 170 kilometres from Toronto to Trenton without touching the ground?
Our campaign has been an extraordinary journey, and this award is a punctuation mark on it.
We want to thank our partners, including the government of Canada, Champions, volunteers, staff, honorary patrons and volunteer board for their dedication and hard work.
Through some trials, we have made this happen.
With our thanks for your ongoing support,
Mark Cullen
Campaign Chair & Co-Founder,
Highway of Heroes Living Tribute
www.markcullen.com