Slovenians Go Green

Oscar Koren – Toronto Canada

The 2009 Environmental Day organized by the Slovenian Home Association and the Slovenian Sports Federation was an example of a challenge to keep our planet green.  United Nations scientists have calculated that to replace the trees being cut down by commercial interests, each person in the world would have to plant at least two trees annually to maintain the balance. We have joined the United Nations Environmental Programme “The Billion Tree Campaign” and pledged to plant 4000 trees.  We realized our pledge on May 5, 2009 weekend when we planted over 4000 red oaks in the Bancroft area.  Our tree planting project had three objectives. First, carbon sequestration.  Over the life cycle of the forest, the trees store carbon in their branches, trunks and roots.  This is done through photosynthesis where the trees take carbon dioxide, which causes global warming, from the air and convert it to carbon compounds and oxygen. Second, biodiversity, which to us means nature conservation.  Third, recreation.  This is what we do when we organize various sports, culture and environmental events and projects.  Tree planting is one of our environmental projects. 

In spite of the rain some of the Tree Planting Project volunteers are ready for work

A tree planting project requires careful planning and execution.  We started with planning meetings in the fall of 2008.  Over the winter we secured some funding from the MNR/Evergreen Community Tree Planting Grant Program and identified publicly accessible tree planting areas.  Next came the logistics. Recruitment of environmentally conscious volunteers, contacting the nursery and ordering the trees, tree planting tools, transportation, food and refreshments for volunteers. Other considerations included training, safety, supervision and wellbeing of volunteers.

After weeks of promotion and planning, Environmental Day had finally arrived on May 5, 2009.  This event was advertised in the Slovenski Dom and STZ newsletters and in the magazine “Glasilo”, as well as on our website, www.slovenskidom.com.  Emails, telephone calls, letters and personal contacts were also used to spread the word.  Garbage bags to be used for environmental clean-up were delivered a few days before by PITCH-IN CANADA.

Frank is taking a break after a day’s work

The day began at 5:30 a.m. Shovels, small tools and food for volunteers were picked up in Zephyr, Ont. at 7:00 a.m. Four thousand trees were picked up at Pineneedle Farms nursery in Pontypool, Ont. at 10:00 a.m. Briefing for the volunteers was scheduled for 12:00 noon at the Slovenia Trust clubhouse in Bancroft, Ont. The whole event was run with military precision, primarily due to engineer Frank Gormek, one of the chief organizers of the Environmental Day. Frank was a freedom fighter in Slovenia during WW2 and later became a gymnast who won many Canadian and international championships in gymnastics and was on the Canadian Olympic team.

Jake, Frank and Oscar have planted thousands of trees in their lifetime

Overall our 2009 Environmental Day was a great success. The weather was rainy which was great for the trees but presented a challenge to the tree planters. We have accomplished the objectives, which we have set out to do. In addition, we have had an impact on the larger environmental scale. Our enthusiastic volunteers have learned how to plant trees and about the impact that trees have on our environment.

Jake, Frank and Oscar have planted thousands of trees in their lifetime.  

The organizers of the Slovenski Dom – STZ 2009 Environmental day would like to thank the following organizations for their participation, advice and support. Slovenian Home Association, Slovenian Sports Federation, MNR/Evergreen Community Tree Planting Grant Program, United Nations Environmental Programme “The Billion Tree Campaign” and PITCH-IN CANADA. Sincere thanks go to all the volunteers who contributed their time and resources to preserve and enhance our environment.