Students plant 1,000 trees across the region

Atotal of 375 students from 10 schools across Peel came together May 4 to get their hands dirty and make a difference!

Helping with the tree-planting duties were local students Aaron Byard, Carolyn Hala, Mike Ferguson, Katy Unger, Jillian Vieira, Laura Robertson, Alex Fracassi, Kirsten Ramsey, Dave Beaton (CVC), Tyler Duncan, Alex Rideout. The Peel Environmental Youth Alliance (PEYA) and community partners invited students and teachers to six sites throughout Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon to plant native trees and shrubs, go on nature hikes and clean up our local environment.

Credit Valley Conservation taught students from Mayfield Secondary School about the Upper Credit River as they planted native trees in Caledon.

"We all enjoyed knowing we were making history," said Laura Robertson, Mayfield student. "We got the job done, while learning not only about trees, but about why we planted where we did, and about this beautiful area."

This was PEYA's first region-wide planting event. It was such a success that students can look forward to this event in the future.

PEYA is a network of action-oriented students in Peel Region concerned about environmental issues and determined to make positive change. PEYA provides support to students and teachers to create environmental projects or clubs in their schools, organizes fun and effective educational events for students across the Region, and makes connections between youth and local environmental groups.

The Peel Environmental Youth Alliance is a program of EcoSource (www.ecosource.ca).

For more information about PEYA please visit www.peyalliance.com or contact Stephanie Crocker of PEYA at 905-274-9974 or info@peyalliance.com.