The Highway of Heroes Tribute and Forests Ontario have launched a campaign to honour Canada’s fallen by planting 117,000 trees — one for every soldier since Confederation — along Highway 401 between Trenton and Toronto.
In 2007, the portion of Highway 401 between Glen Miller Road in Trenton and Keele Street in Toronto was officially designated the “Highway of Heroes”, as the road is travelled by funeral convoys for fallen Canadian Forces personnel from CFB Trenton to the Ontario Coroner’s office in Toronto.
The official launch of the tree-planting campaign took place in Trenton and Toronto on Friday, November 6th.
A ceremonial tree was planted at each end of the Highway of Heroes: at CFB Trenton, where the highway begins, and outside the Coroner’s Office at Keele Street in Toronto, where it ends.
In addition to honouring Canada’s fallen soldiers, the project will provide additional benefits by increasing canopy cover, erosion control, wind breaks, pollinator species, and greening along portions of Highway 401.
Planting is expected to begin in spring 2016 and take approximately five years to complete. Native tree species planted along the highway will include sugar maple, beech, white pine, white cedar, and white spruce.
Forests Ontario, a non-profit organization dedicated to the renewal and stewardship of Ontario forests, will be responsible for the tree planting and associated costs and will maintain the planted sites.
If you wish to donate towards the tree planting campaign, visit the Highway of Heroes Tribute website at www.hohtribute.ca. The cost of planting a tree depends on the size of the tree and its planting location, as many locations along the highway need significant soil remediation. Tax receipts will be provided for donations of $25 or more.