The tree was embedded near the William Bell Gazebo in Bell Park, an event attended by a large crowd and dignitaries including British primatologist and anthropologist Jane Goodall, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau . , and Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault. While some of Goodall’s fans were at the event, so were a small number of protesters who periodically interrupted the speeches, even as she and Trudeau spoke. They were holding banners and signs focusing on different topics and did not seem to be organized.

“Environmental Innovation Center”

Mayor Brian Bigger said that when he was a child in Sudbury in the 1960s, the area was “black rock, dead tree stumps and a desolate landscape”. The environmental destruction from mining was extensive. Coniston, Ont., shown in 1979, left, before efforts were renewed, then again in 2006. (City of Greater Sudbury) “Who would have imagined that within a generation — about 40 years — we would transform our city into a center of environmental innovation and restoration,” Bigger said. “It’s important globally and it’s a reason for hope.” The revitalization program began in 1978. Since then, 80,000 hectares of land have been ecologically reclaimed. Bigger said the project isn’t stopping, despite the milestone. “We still have over 30,000 hectares of land that has not been restored. Imagine what our city will look like in a few decades.” Trudeau greets some of those who participated in the tree planting event at a gazebo in Greater Sudbury’s Bell Park. (Ashishvangh Contractor/CBC) Trudeau said planting Greater Sudbury’s 10 millionth tree after nearly 45 years of revitalization efforts is a great example of hope. “Planting trees is not just about planting saplings – it’s about planting hope, it’s about planting a future,” he said. “It’s a reminder that as simple as it may seem to just plant a tree, it’s proof positive that each of us can make a difference.” Guilbeault also helped with the tree planting portion of the event. Trees are vital to the fight against it
Any day I plant a tree is a good day in my books. 🌳 🐿 pic.twitter.com/69SRzOAVa3 —@s_guilbeault Goodall, 88, told viewers she was in Sudbury 20 years earlier – when revitalization efforts had already begun. He said he travels around the world, talking about ways to protect the environment. “To see how the revitalization of Sudbury has progressed over these 20 years is absolutely amazing.” Goodall said young people are her reason for hope. “I’ve seen it here in Sudbury 20 years ago and today, young people give up their free time to plant trees, raise fish, release [fish] back, to create the ecosystems in your lakes and hills.’ Peter Beckett was one of the first workers in the revitalization program in Greater Sudbury. He is now chair of the Greater Sudbury Vegetation Improvement Technical Advisory Committee. (Angela Gemmill/CBC) Peter Beckett was among those who worked on revitalization efforts early on and is now the chair of the Vegetation Enhancement Technical Advisory Committee (VTAC) in Greater Sudbury. “THAT PERIOD [1978]we would never have expected that we would have this celebration today and that the program would have lasted this long,” he said. “It took a long time, but with sheer persistence and hard work from all the citizens of Sudbury, we got to this day.” But Beckett said the job isn’t done yet. “The program will continue. It will probably continue until we have every hill that is barren green again in Sudbury.”