Oshawa campus goes greener with $4,000 tree donation

OSHAWA, Ont. - Spring will be sprouting greener on the Oshawa campus of Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), thanks to a donation of 10 trees from Environmental Earth Angels, a Toronto-based environmental charity.

One of the trees, a sugar maple, will be planted at a special ceremony this Friday, April 23, at 1 p.m. at Founder's Lot 5, near the Conlin Road entrance to the campus. The remaining nine mature trees will be planted in May in the same area. In total, the donation is valued at up to $4,000. Friday's event coincides with Earth Weeks, from April 18 to May 1, and will include members of the campus Science Alliance club. Club members organized the first Durham/UOIT Environmental Awareness Day on March 31.

The tree donation was spearheaded by Paula Doyle, vice-president of public relations for the Student Association, with generous assistance from students in Durham's Environmental Technology program. Earlier this year, Doyle read about Earth Angels' annual School Tree Planting program and submitted an application on behalf of Durham and UOIT.

This year, Earth Angels will donate trees to 65 elementary, secondary and post-secondary schools throughout Toronto, as well as the regions of Durham, Peel and York. Schools receive up to 10 mature, native trees, including 13-foot deciduous species such as red maple, and three-foot coniferous species, including white spruce. Each year, the group receives four or five times more applications than it can fulfill, says Karen Hortopan, a spokesperson for the group. "It shows you there's a tremendous need out there."

About Ontario Tech University
A modern, forwarding-thinking university, Ontario Tech advances the discovery and application of knowledge to accelerate economic growth, regional development and social innovation. We inspire and equip our students and our graduates to make a positive impact in a tech-focused world. For us, it’s not only about developing the next tech breakthrough. Understanding and integrating the social and ethical implications of technology differentiates us as university. Learn more at ontariotechu.ca.

Media contact
John Schofield
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.721.3111 ext. 2162
john.schofield@uoit.ca