Trees for Centennial Secondary School

Trees sequester carbon (CO2), reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere that contribute to climate change. You need about 500 full-sized trees to absorb the carbon dioxide produced by a typical car driven 20,000 km/year.
An average size tree produces enough oxygen in one year to keep a family of four breathing.
Three trees planted in the right place around buildings can cut air-conditioning costs up to 50 percent.
Trees provide shelter and food for wildlife such as birds, squirrels, and bugs. Groves of trees provide food and cover for larger mammals, such as raccoons and deer.
Trees absorb odors and pollutant gases (nitrogen oxides, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and ozone) and filter particulates out of the air by trapping them on their leaves and bark.
Excess carbon dioxide (CO2) is building up in our atmosphere, contributing to climate change. Trees absorb CO2, removing and storing the carbon while releasing oxygen back into the air. In one year, an acre of mature trees absorbs the same amount of CO2 produced when you drive your car 26,000 miles.

50,000 trees

Trees for Centennial Secondary School

With a donation from Rotary Loves Trees and expert guidance from the Quinte Conservation Authority, the students in the Green Industries Course at Centennial Secondary planted some 20 trees and shrubs on the school grounds June 6.

The tree planting helped the students learn which native species do best in the Belleville area and more about how trees can beautify and protect our environment .

Student “F” had this to say about the plant, “ I had a great time planting trees today. We need more trees, Without them our world will never get better. I’m glad we have people in our community like Belleville Rotary and Quinte Conservation who were willing to donate the trees and their time to plant them at Centennial Secondary School.”

Student “M” commented, “Thank you to Rotary Loves Trees and to Maya Navrot from Quinte Conservation for helping our program at CSS! Taking our classroom goals and making them happen was possible because of their tree donation and time helping us plant at CSS. It was hard work, but I’m glad I got to be a part of it.”

Kate Vahrmeyer Hilmi, teacher of the Green Industries course, summed up the day by commenting, “it was a great experience that ties together multiple generations to help better the community of Belleville”.