CBU and ACAP Cape Breton to Plant 50,000 Trees Through ‘Growing Forward Together’ Project

As part of our 50th Anniversary celebration, Cape Breton University (CBU) launched Growing Forward Together, a signature initiative to plant 50,000 trees across Cape Breton Island in partnership with ACAP Cape Breton.

The first ceremonial tree planting took place on Wednesday, June 26, on the CBU campus and was preceded by a smudging ceremony led by Lawrence Wells, CBU’s Elder on Campus. This gesture honoured the Island’s rich Indigenous heritage and reminded everyone of the deep ties between the land and its people. As community members, students, faculty and staff gathered on site, the first tree was planted with the very same golden shovel that has been used for groundbreaking ceremonies over the past five decades.

“We are thrilled to work with ACAP Cape Breton on this meaningful initiative. It is a powerful example of what can be achieved through collective efforts and a dedication to environmental sustainability,” says David C. Dingwall, CBU President and Vice-Chancellor. “For more than 50 years, CBU has grown and evolved thanks to the support of our community Unama’ki – Cape Breton. This project is our way of giving back to the Island that has given us so much and our pledge to a greener, more resilient Cape Breton.”

This partnership is more than simply getting trees in the ground; it represents the careful consideration of shifting succession patterns to better accommodate the climate changes expected in the next fifty years. By engaging in thoughtful habitat restoration and working alongside communities around the Island, the team is planting species that will be adaptable to future environmental changes.

“Done right, forest restoration is a challenging endeavour. It relies on a combination of operational expertise, ecosystem assessment and cutting-edge approaches adapted from scientific research,” says ACAP Cape Breton Executive Director, Kathleen Aikens. “We are delighted to partner with CBU on this work and harness the capacity of the University’s learning and research community to undertake this project.”

The small landscape at CBU is planted with a reflective pocket forest, consisting of densely planted native trees and shrubs, that provide a nursery for further forest restoration. Each pocket includes a mix of early succession trees, long-lived anchor trees, shrubs and ground layers, fostering rich soil microbiology, nutrient cycling and carbon storage. The goal is to create multiple pockets that shelter diversity, encouraging the trees’ survival and growth. This approach maximizes carbon sequestration and supports stable ecosystems, providing food and shelter for the Island’s wildlife.

The first tree planting ceremony was a beautiful blend of tradition, community and forward-thinking, leaving a lasting legacy on Unama’ki – Cape Breton. In the coming months, CBU and ACAP Cape Breton will continue this initiative with numerous tree planting events across the Island and engage different community groups and volunteers. Each tree planted will contribute to the Island’s ecological health, providing benefits for generations to come.

Click here to learn more about the Growing Forward Together project.

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