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Winnipeg Free Press

Churchgoers partner with A Rocha to plant trees in St. Vital Park

Kennedy Froese, associate pastor at Sterling Mennonite Church, says joining up with A Rocha Manitoba to plant trees in St. Vital Park is a way for her congregation to show their appreciation for the green space. 'Our church is close to the park, and we use it for things like picnics,' she said. 'We benefit from it, so this is a way to give back.' Tree planting is also a way for the congregation to show its care for the environment. 'As Christians, we are called to care for the Earth,' Froese said. 'As children of God, we are partners with God in justice and reconciliation. That extends to the planet and all living creatures.' Froese's church is one of three ready to plant trees through A Rocha Manitoba's faith forest initiative at St. Vital Park on May 31. The mission of A Rocha Manitoba, which was founded in the province 15 years ago, is to nurture biodiversity, equip people to take care of nature and inspire congregations to do more to show care for the planet. Westwood Community Church, where Catherine Fewings is the worship co-ordinator, is also taking part. Fewings said being involved is a way to show care for creation. 'The Bible is clear that we are supposed to take care of the Earth,' she said. 'We are supposed to love our neighbours and the land they live on.' The activity for local congregations is a first for A Rocha Manitoba, said Graham Peters, the group's conservation science co-ordinator. 'We did a version of it during a conference last year and it went so well we decided to do it with local churches, too,' he said. The tree planting is being done in partnership with the City of Winnipeg naturalist services department. 'We're like a matchmaker between the department and volunteers,' said Zoe Matties, A Rocha Manitoba's program manager, adding the event is family-friendly — children are welcome to help. 'They want volunteers to plant trees, so what we are doing is a big help to them,' said managing director Scott Gerbrandt. Cameron Ruml, who is wildlife and habitat stewardship biologist for the naturalist services department, welcomes the help. 'A Rocha is really good at connecting with people and getting bigger groups together,' he said, adding the city does tree planting twice every year in May-June and September-October. At St. Vital Park, volunteers will plant native species such as Manitoba maple, Saskatoon and hackberry bushes and other trees and shrubs to create a dense riverside habitat. 'It's a mix of species to create a forest where none was before,' Ruml said. The faith forest initiative runs from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. on May 31. The city will supply the trees and shrubs, along with shovels and other equipment. People who want to participate should wear good shoes, work clothes and work gloves. Congregations from all faith groups are welcome to participate. For information: faith@ John LonghurstFaith reporter John Longhurst has been writing for Winnipeg's faith pages since 2003. He also writes for Religion News Service in the U.S., and blogs about the media, marketing and communications at Making the News. Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.