We will no longer be supporting IE7 and below as a web browser effective June 1st 2020. Click here for more information.

Sign In
Skip Navigation LinksSimcoe County > Corporate Communications > County of Simcoe hosts ceremonial tree planting to celebrate centennial
Advisory

County of Simcoe hosts ceremonial tree planting to celebrate centennial

 

​Midhurst/May 5, 2022 – Nearly one hundred years ago to the day, past County of Simcoe Warden J.J. Banting gathered with provincial and municipal representatives to plant the first ever tree seedlings in the Hendrie Tract, establishing the roots of what would grow into the Simcoe County Forest.

Though unable to attend that first plant, this moment in Simcoe County history would not have been possible without the work of former Ontario Premier E.C. Drury (Simcoe County and Oro-Medonte resident) and his commitment to establishing the Agreement Forest program. This program enabled municipalities to work with the province to purchase marginalized wastelands for reforestation efforts.

Fast forward 100 years, and the Simcoe County Forest now spans more than 33,000 acres across more than 150 properties, making it the largest and one of the most productive municipal forest networks in Ontario. The Simcoe County Forest serves multiple purposes, from recreational use to tourism, and environmental benefits to economic contributions, this self-sustaining working forest continues to grow and expand. The Simcoe County Forest is owned and managed by the County of Simcoe and is not considered Crown Land.

On May 10 at 2 p.m., media are invited to an event to commemorate this milestone occasion in the County's history. Warden George Cornell and County Councillors will be joined by members of the Drury family for a ceremonial tree plant at the E.C. Drury cairn located in the Township of Oro-Medonte.

EVENT:   Photo/Video Opportunity - Ceremonial Tree Plant

Where:   E.C. Drury Cairn, located immediately west of 316 Old Barrie Road East,
               between Line 7 and 8

When:    Tuesday, May 10, 2022 ~ 2 p.m.

County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca

- 30 -

CONTACTS
Jen Straw
Public Relations Consultant
County of Simcoe, Service Simcoe Department
705-790-5979 (mobile)
Jennifer.Straw@simcoe.ca

Collin Matanowitsch
Manager, Public Relations
County of Simcoe, Service Simcoe Department
705-734-8386 (mobile)
Collin.Matanowitsch@simcoe.ca