Siemens employees plant 100 trees and shrubs at Riverview Park and Zoo

Employees from Siemens Canada in Peterborough planted 100 native trees and shrubs at the Riverview Park & Zoo on May 22nd in partnership with Tree Canada and Otonabee Conservation. 

A variety of native species of trees and shrubs including button bush, speckled alder, tamarack, Saskatoon serviceberry, and silky dogwood will increase species diversity and enhance habitat for local wildlife in the area adjacent to the Otonabee River on the Riverview Park and Zoo grounds.

“Siemens employees have planted a wide selection of trees in the Peterborough-area in the past ten years, and more than 17,800 trees in total across Canada,” said Ian Almond, Plant Manager at the Siemens location in Peterborough, “Beautifying our community and contributing to a more sustainable future is a responsibility and an honour. We are grateful to our employees and our local partners who help make it happen.” 

For over a decade, Siemens Canada, Tree Canada, and Otonabee Conservation have collaborated to enhance the habitat throughout the Otonabee Region watershed. Together, Siemens and Otonabee Conservation have planted almost 2,000 trees and shrubs with 300 Siemens employees at 10 different locations across the Otonabee Region watershed. 

"We are thrilled to continue working with Tree Canada and Siemens to make habitat enhancements in our watershed," said Janette Loveys Smith, CAO/Secretary-Treasurer at Otonabee Conservation, “We value our ongoing partnership and our shared commitment of supporting community engagement and the environment.” 

Manager and Curator of Riverview Park and Zoo, Cathy Mitchell shared, “Riverview Park and Zoo, welcomes over 300,000 visitors a year with no admission fee for outdoor education and recreation. We are home to many native species of wildlife that share our natural spaces on the shores of the Otonabee River. This project, with support from our valued partners, will help achieve the goal to further naturalize the shoreline and create more bird and pollinator friendly spaces. We hope to increase our climate resiliency and native biodiversity of the park. We are very grateful to be the chosen site for the planting this year.”

"Trees and healthy ecosystems are vital for community wellbeing and tackling climate change and biodiversity loss," said Michael Petryk, Director of Urban Programs at Tree Canada. “With support from Siemens Canada and Otonabee Conservation, we can foster greener environments for Canadians."

For more information, please contact:

Meredith Carter | Manager, Watershed Management Program | Otonabee Conservation 
705-745-5791 ext. 223 | mcarter@otonabeeconservation.com

Laura Heidbuechel | Communications Specialist | Siemens Canada 
289-952-1600 | laura.heidbuechel@siemens.com

Robert Henri | Director of Communications and Brand | Tree Canada 
613-567-5545 ext. 230 | rhenri@treecanada.ca

Cathy Mitchell | Manager and Curator | Riverview Park and Zoo
705-748-9301 x 2304| cmitchell@riverviewparkandzoo.ca