CBU and ACAP Cape Breton Celebrate National Forest Week

On Tuesday, September 24, ACAP Cape Breton hosted a tree-planting event at Colliery Lands Park in New Waterford as part of National Forest Week, an annual initiative by the Canadian Institute of Forestry. The event was part of the Growing Forward Together project, a signature initiative in CBU’s 50th Anniversary celebration, which aims to plant 50,000 trees across Cape Breton Island. The trees planted through this initiative are selected for their adaptability to Cape Breton’s changing climate, ensuring they can thrive for many years.

In 2024, National Forest Week happens from September 22-28. This year’s theme, “Two-Eyed Seeing: Welcoming all knowledge to sustain our forests,” highlights the importance of blending Indigenous traditions with modern technologies through mutual respect and collaboration to ensure the health and sustainability of the forests for future generations.

“The restoration approaches we are employing as part of the Growing Forward Together project will support forest succession and promote biodiversity,” says Kathleen Aikens, ACAP Cape Breton Executive Director. “Through a Two-Eyed Seeing approach, both Elders and scientists tell us to consider what each tree needs. It is not simply above-ground conditions we need to think about when we plant trees: the soil is the cradle substrate that will nurture the growth of these plants and support a healthier, more resilient ecosystem.”

During the event, ACAP team members led and engaged participants, including eight CBU alumni and students, in a variety of activities such as site assessment, identifying and controlling invasive species and monitoring previously planted trees. In addition to planting new serviceberry trees, the group watered the saplings with compost tea to support their early growth. While small in scale, the tree planting represents a larger commitment to environmental stewardship and community collaboration, ensuring that CBU’s legacy extends well beyond the anniversary year.

Currently in his second year of the Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Business Analytics program and working as a Sustainability Intern at CBU, Rohan Vajirkar gained a deeper appreciation for the complexities of tree planting and its long-term care. “Attending today’s planting made me realize that tree planting is far more than just digging a hole, placing a plant and watering it,” Rohan shares. “It’s a science that requires a deep understanding of biodiversity, soil quality and species compatibility. The process doesn’t end with planting but continues with care over the next few years before the tree can grow on its own.”

Since the project’s launch in June, ACAP Cape Breton has planted more than 17,000 trees on Cape Breton Island, with a goal of reaching 50,000 across four counties by spring 2025. Despite challenges such as heat waves and dry conditions, the team remains confident in achieving this goal.

Looking ahead, ACAP Cape Breton and CBU are excited to host additional community tree-planting events, inviting community members, students, faculty and researchers to take part in fieldwork that combines environmental study with hands-on teaching.

Learn more about the project at cbu.ca/growing-forward-together.

To stay up to date on the 50th celebration, visit cbu.ca/50.