Three neighbourhoods in Saint John, New Brunswick will increase their numbers of trees and shrubs to help manage stormwater. Saint John and the non-profit, environmental consultant ACAP Saint John are partners behind the planting.
The city was the recipient of a $20,000 Environmental Trust Fund Grant from the Province of New Brunswick this year, which was then matched by ACAP Saint John.
Months after Saint John saw its worst flooding in decades, the city’s Stormwater Management Service is turning to engineered green spaces to help manage stormwater.
“Engineered green spaces are becoming popular options for cities, in part due to their affordability and their effectiveness at purifying water, allowing groundwater recharge and controlling water circulation,” said Monica Boudreault, operations manager for the City of Saint John Stormwater Management Service. “Using native trees, shrubs, soil and other elements provides us with a natural process to manage water and create a healthier, more pleasing urban environment.”
Caledonia Brook Floodplain in Millidgeville, Loch Lomond Floodplain, and Glen Falls Greenway will have hundreds of new native trees and shrubs planted in the coming weeks. Restoration of a fourth location at Hazen Creek began earlier this month where city crews completed restoration work on a portion of the creek that runs through city land off Bayside Drive. ACAP Saint John will complete the project with tree and shrub planting, as well as materials to prevent erosion.
“Completing the stream restoration and planting will improve stormwater management and also serve as a habitat for aquatic and native plant life,” said Graeme Stewart-Robertson, executive director of ACAP Saint John.
This month, ACAP Saint John will partner with local companies and youth groups in tree planting activities at Caledonia Brook Floodplain and Loch Lomond Floodplain. Volunteers can visit the ACAP website for information on upcoming events.
An official opening to celebrate the completion of the Glen Falls Greenway Revitalization, a CN and Tree Canada EcoConnexions project, will be held in October.
