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The Municipality of Mississippi Mills is showing our fondness for forests once again, by celebrating Arbour Week, April 22-25 in the municipality.

Activities kick off on Earth Day (Tuesday, April 22) with the Earth Day Event at Almonte Old Town Hall from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. This free evening will focus on forests, farming and tree-wise yards. The agenda includes:

• A presentation by Dale Horeczy of Rideau Environmental Action League (REAL) on mini forests. A mini forest is a community of diverse native trees and shrubs planted tightly together. The multi-layered design is meant to mimic a native forest. 
• A short play on regenerative farming, ‘She Won’t Come in from the Fields,’ performed by Dale Colleen Hamilton of Kingston.
• A facilitated discussion on regenerative farming by local farmer Alberto Suarez Esteban of Nature’s Apprentice Farm.
• A presentation by local professional gardener and Almonte Horticultural Society president, Allan Goddard, ‘Selecting the Right Tree for Your Yard,’ focused on urban landscaping.

This event is brought to you by the Municipality of Mississippi Mills, in partnership with Climate Network Lanark, Nature’s Apprentice Farm, Turtle Island Acres, REAL and numerous volunteers. 

Later in the week, on Thursday, April 24, enjoy the free Tree Walk & Talk with local arborist Rob Cretien at 1 p.m. at the Mill of Kintail Conservation Area. Explore the trees on the grounds of the Mill of Kintail at this event for all ages. It takes place rain or shine and the meeting place is in the parking lot of the conservation area. 

As a bonus, the Municipality’s Roads and Public Works Department is hosting a free Tree Seedling Giveaway on Saturday, April 26 from 9 to 11 a.m. (or until seedlings are gone) at the public works garage (3131 Old Perth Road). This giveaway is for Mississippi Mills residents only.

Bare-root seedlings available include red oak, silver maple, white pine, tamarack and red pine. Maximum 10 trees per household. Bring along a bag or box to transport seedlings home.

It’s also time to spring clean the municipality! We’re launching the MM Community Cleanup from April 22-30 and inviting residents to come together with family, friends and neighbours to pitch in and clean up the community.

Getting involved is easy. Just let the Municipality know which areas you’ll be cleaning by emailing waste@mississippimills.ca and we’ll provide the bags. While out cleaning up, be sure to take some photos and post using #MMCleanUp. Thanks for helping make our community cleaner and greener!

“Arbour Week and Earth Day is a great time for us to make positive impacts on our community, but we can do this year-round. Whether it’s cleaning up litter along our roadsides or getting valuable tips on how to be better stewards of the environment, we all have a role to play when it comes to caring for our community,” said Mississippi Mills Mayor Christa Lowry.

SOURCE: Mississippi Mills.