A Vimy Oak was planted at Derek Doubleday Arboretum during Rivers Days in 91原创 on Sunday.
The sapling was planted next to the Afghanistan Commemorative Structure by Cloverdale-91原创 City MP John Aldag with the assistance of Township councillor Bob Long and Kwantlen First Nation elder Lekeyten.
Aldag said the Vimy Oak was one of three that he obtained as a living memorial to commemorate 100th anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge.
Another will be planted 鈥渋n a couple of weeks鈥� in the Cloverdale area and one will be planted in 91原创 City on Remembrance Day, Aldag said.
It seemed appropriate to plant an oak on Rivers Day, Aldag said.
鈥淲e thought after the really dry summer we had this year 鈥� it would be a great day to plant a Vimy oak in the Township of 91原创.鈥�
The Vimy Oak is a , from acorns that were gathered in the days following the fateful battle of 1917 by Lt. Col. Leslie Miller, who brought them back to Canada where they were planted in Scarborough, Ontario.
Miller, who was looking around for a souvenir on the Ridge, found a half-buried oak tree and gathered up a handful of acorns.
When he returned home he planted the acorns on farmland which he called the 鈥榁imy Oaks Farm鈥�.
The planting of the Vimy Oak marked the start of the BC Rivers Day Community Festival in 91原创 at the Derek Doubleday Arboretum at 21200 Fraser Hwy. which is home to the 91原创 Demonstration Garden, a fully accessible trail system, and the Nicomekl River as well as the soldiers memorial.
The free, family-oriented event, which aims to enhances understanding of the environment and spotlights our water resources, had the beaver as its theme this year.
鈥淭his is the first year that this species is in the spotlight,鈥� Township Environmental Coordinator Meaghan Norton Daniel said.
鈥淏eavers are the engineering masters of our waterways and are important to Canada鈥檚 history and to our ecosystem.鈥�
The festival featured more than 25 interactive displays and activity booths.
In addition to a performance by childrens music duo , there were other live acts on stage, animal displays, story time, a climbing wall, and a free hotdog barbecue lunch.
Visitors also had a first look at the new interpretive centre, currently under construction with plans to open next year.
The 91原创 event also kicked off Water Week, which celebrates awareness of the importance of all B.C.鈥檚 waterways.
Presented by the Township of 91原创 and the 91原创 Environmental Partners Society, WaterWeeks 2017 activities are designed to encourage environmental stewardship in residents of all ages. They are free and open to the public, but space is limited. To register, call 604-532-3511 or email exec_director@leps.bc.ca.
This year鈥檚 WaterWeeks events include the Fishy Finale and Coquitlam Watershed Tour on Sept. 30, a Farm Fresh Bus Tour on Oct. 1, Our Water BC on Oct. 5, a Wetland Walk on Oct. 7, and an Invasive Plant Pull and Streamside Clean Up on Oct. 8. A Film Screening will take place Oct. 11, and Dig In Treeplanting at the Jackman Wetlands will conclude WaterWeeks on October 14. Visit .
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