Oct 27, 2009 - 04:30 AM

By Kristen Calis

PICKERING -- Cubs, Beavers, Scouts, Rovers, Venturers, councillors, residents and Pickering nuclear employees got dirty and worked hard to improve Pickering's environment Saturday.

Volunteers planted around 600 trees, shrubs and bushes as part of the annual Take Pride in Pickering Day, an event hosted by Ontario Power Generation, the City of Pickering, Environmental Stewardship Pickering and Toronto and Region Conservation at Alex Robertson Park.

"Well over 6,000 trees, shrubs and bushes have been planted in the past half dozen years," said Don Terry, OPG manager of public affairs.

Volunteers have also created a pond that's now home to frogs and turtles. Mr. Terry reported OPG staff have spotted at least three snapping turtle nests since it was built.

"We've extended that habitat by planting wet-loving species in this area," said Margo Sloan, OPG biodiversity co-ordinator, adding maple trees, cedar trees and rose bushes are examples.

Now that the work's almost finished at Alex Robertson Park, with a large wildlife corridor running around the park, it won't stop there, with plans to improve areas northward through Pickering.

Part of ESP's initiative is to help groups and volunteers interested in environmental initiatives throughout the city.

"We can hook people up in the right spot with the right tools and put them on their way," said Ms. Sloan, who also sits on the ESP board.

Chris Stone, 16th Ajax Cub leader, has taken part in the event for the past four years.

"It's time to get back to the environment," he said. "We're losing too many natural resources. We know the plants give us air."

Mr. Terry said since a lot of the groups participate annually in the event, "they're really getting in there and seeing how it's changing."

Christian Clarke, 16th Ajax Venturer, has seen some of the trees he's planted grow and looks forward to the annual event "just for the thrill of planting trees, getting my hands dirty."

Christian Porteous, third-year Cub, realizes it's important to plant trees "so they can give us oxygen."

Aside from the environmental improvements, the day gives the kids an opportunity to get active and steer away from video games and television.

"It's actually good exercise for them too," said Ute Sack, Ajax Rover advisor. "We like to get them away from the electronics. Back to nature."