Congratulations Eleanor Reed!!!

Eleanor Reed, a Norland area forester, planted her one millionth tree on a local property in May.

Eleanor has been a Planting Delivery Agent for the 50 Million Tree Program (50 MTP)  since it first began in 2008. The 50 MTP is a Forests Ontario tree planting program supported by the Government of Canada, sponsors and donors. Eleanor has planted trees for over 150 landowners in Kawartha Lakes and the surrounding municipalities through the program. She established nearly 1,300 acres of new forest. These young forests sequester significant amounts of carbon every year and help to mitigate the effects of climate change.

A group of friends and family gathered to celebrate the achievement with speeches, champagne, and cake. Letters of congratulations were received from several dignitaries; Andrea Horwath, Leader of the Official Opposition wrote to thank Eleanor Reed “for the effort and passion you bring to the important work of helping grow our forests.”

Of course, she has not accomplished this alone. Over the last 10 years, Eleanor has employed a number of workers, including her family; husband Paul and three children, Daniel 27, Sarah 24, and Jonathon 24, have all gotten their hands dirty each spring.

Reed, who is a Registered Professional Forester, has planted trees in three provinces over a 35 year career (these are not counted in the 1 million). As she travels, Eleanor will often take an indirect route to check on the progress of her older tree plantations. It doesn’t take long for the young seedlings to begin to look like a forest: birds and wildlife quickly move in, along with native wildflowers.

Although this is a milestone, more work needs to be done. Eleanor will continue to look for opportunities to care for creation in her work as a forester. Good work, Eleanor!

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