"Striving to promote and improve the health and well-being of our community, economy and environment."

MAKE A DONATION Trees for Woolwich

"Striving to promote and improve the health and well-being of our community, economy and environment."

MAKE A DONATION Trees for Woolwich

 Shovels supplied,
 no experience   necessary. 

 Dig in for   Woolwich.

The Township of Woolwich Environmental Enhancement Committee (TWEEC)

The Township of Woolwich Environmental Enhancement Committee (TWEEC) is a partnership between Woolwich Healthy Communities and the Township of Woolwich to improve the quality of the environment in the Township. Formed in February 2004, our 14-member committee meets regularly to plan projects and to organize groups and volunteers to help implement them. We welcome volunteers and groups interested in contributing to local environmental projects!

Committee Members

2023-2026 term

Connor Ehrlich (Chairperson), Tricia Brubacher, Susan Bryant, 
Evan Burgess (Woolwich Township Council Representative),  Debra Cowal,
 Janet Cox, Dennis Martin, Adrian Miltenburg, 
Chris Moore, Inga Rinne, Jenny Soehner, Ann Roberts (Staff Support)

"33,000 Trees and Counting"

See how a small community in southern Ontario mobilized volunteers and government to plant trees on trails, roads, creeks and in parks to create a green legacy for the next generations. Starting with only 14% tree cover they aim to get to 30%. Find out why they do it and why it's worth it!

Key Responsibilities

  • Developing an Environmental
    Enhancement Plan
  • Developing and managing a Reforestation Plan - see Trees for Woolwich project
  • Mobilizing the community to implement
    the plans
  • See Terms of Reference

Possible Initiatives

  • Promoting public awareness of and education in environmental enhancement
  • Initiating environmental programs
  • Providing comments to Council on environmental issues, as requested by Council
  • Proposing and implementing work plans based on priorities identified by the Committee

Funding

Funding is available in the Township budget annually for projects implemented by the Committee. In 2023 $14,500 was allocated in the Township budget.

Reporting Procedure

  • The plans, budgets and implementation measures are first endorsed by the Woolwich Healthy Communities Coordinating Committee and then presented to Council for approval. 
  • The specifics, logistics and volunteer organization for each project are considered and approved by the Committee.

Your thoughts and ideas are important to us!

The Committee is looking for ideas for environmental enhancement projects in Woolwich Township. We have some ideas, but we would very much like to hear from Woolwich residents. Please contact any Committee member with suggestions for project areas.


For more info about tree planting or Community Clean Up Day please contact:

Ann Roberts

519-514-7027 or 1-877-969-0094 x7027

aroberts@woolwich.ca

News

TWEEC Activities

Since 2004

  • Planted more than 2000 trees in Elmira.
  • Hosted a pesticide alternative workshop.
  • Planted 60 trees at Schaner Park in St. Jacobs.
  • Organized annual community clean-up days since 2004.
  • Prepared an environmental enhancement plan.
  • Planted more than 700 trees at part of five roadside tree planting projects.
  • Hosted three native plant sales.
  • Initiated the Yellow Fish Road program in Woolwich.
  • Partnered with GRCA to plant 80 trees at Snyders Flats near Bloomingdale and 150 trees around the Woolwich Reservoir.
  • Supported the greenhouse project at EDSS.
  • Supported the Region’s bale wrap recycling program.
  • Revitalized the native garden at the Elmira Library.
  • Supported school naturalization projects in Breslau and Elmira.
  • Rescued plants at the Walmart development site.
  • Established the Trees for Woolwich Program in 2011. More than 33,768 trees planted by 2020. 
  • In partnership with the Region of Waterloo, planted a 500 m living snow fence along Arthur St. north of St. Jacobs, as a pilot Living Snow Fence Project.
  • Initiated the Woolwich Community Tree Nursery in Elmira.
  • Initiated "Seedlings in the Classroom" and "Seedlings for Seniors" programs and "Students for Shade" Interpretative walk program and potting program at the tree nursery.
  • Undertook a phragmites pilot project.
  • Undertook an ash tree removal and replacement project along the Trans Canada Trail near St. Jacobs.
  • Undertook two buckthorn control projects in Elmira.
  • In partnership with the Township of Woolwich, the Elmira Green Infrastructure Plan was prepared and approved by Township Council in 2018. Implementation began in 2019.

Attention Teachers in Woolwich!    

 
Enriching School Programs created by the Volunteers at TWEEC 
(Township of Woolwich Environmental Enhancement Committee) 
 
As you improve your students’ understanding of our environment,  
TWEEC offers locally based, hands-on adventures outside and inside your classroom. 
Call us to arrange a date for activities we customize for your class.

Seedlings in the Classroom

Since 2014, elementary school students have grown tree seedlings in classrooms throughout Woolwich. TWEEC supplies everything needed for this winter project. To date, 3,200 seedlings have been transplanted into our tree nursery, and 1,350 trees harvested from the nursery have been planted out across Woolwich. This popular program fills up quickly, with sign-up in November.     
Contact John Mathers at jmathers127@gmail.com for more information.

Keeping Our Water Clean

This classroom activity demonstrates vividly how pollutants get into our water – and how we can keep them out. Using a model of a typical town with a creek and a lake, students help set up the town. They then spread the “pollutants” (kool aid, cocoa powder, etc.), make it rain (spray with real water), and observe the effects on the lake. Finally, they devise strategies to keep the lake water clean. 
This activity takes about an hour and works best with groups of 10 or fewer so everyone can share ideas and get their hands wet. The storm water demonstration is available year round to grades 3-6.  One of our TWEEC members will teach the teachers to demonstrate the model themselves.
To arrange a date or learn more, contact Ann at aroberts@woolwich.ca

School Hike Day

Woolwich classes can celebrate Earth Day by hiking a nearby trail.    
 
For information about this fun and healthy activity, contact Nancy at nancy.stayzer@gmail.com

Plenty of volunteer opportunities to work with us.

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