June 2nd, 2021

For Immediate Release
Owen Sound Family Teams up with GSCA to Offset their Carbon Footprint!
Conversations with his youngest son inspired Jeff Graham to consider ways to reduce his family’s impact on
climate change. “As an engineer, I wanted to know the basic data such as what our average carbon emissions
are. And what we could do to reduce our carbon footprint” said Jeff Graham. After some research, the carbon
absorption capacity of trees seemed like an accessible and cost-effective place to start!
His initial research also indicated that wealthy countries, like Canada, have much higher carbon dioxide (CO2)
emissions, per person, than people living in developing countries. According to Graham, “It struck me that
Canadians have a moral duty to take responsibility for their emissions, and if affordable, help pay to reduce or
offset their carbon emissions”.

Given that each Canadian produces about 20 metric tons of CO2 per year and a young growing tree absorbs
around 20 kilograms of CO2 per year; Graham calculated that 6,000 trees would need to be planted to help
offset the carbon footprint of a family of six. The Graham’s did not let the space limitations of their urban lot in
Owen Sound stop them and, instead, they contacted Grey Sauble Conservation Authority (GSCA) with their
plan and to help make the tree planting project a reality.
The Graham’s financial donation will now fund the planting of over 6,000 trees on two GSCA properties this
spring – Isaac Lake in the Town of South Bruce Peninsula and Griersville in the Municipality of Meaford. Both
projects will be completed by GSCA staff with some assistance from the Graham family. The native tree
species planted will remove CO2, improve soil retention across the watershed and, in combination with ongoing
tree planting by GSCA, help increase resilience to the impacts of flooding, drought and severe weather events.
This tree planting project will also help restore and increase forest cover, create more wildlife habitat, and
improve water quality.
“This is a fantastic act by the Graham family! By working together, we can all help mitigate the impacts of
climate change and planting trees is great way to start” said Michael Fry, Forestry Coordinator at GSCA.
The trees were selected based on growing needs such as soil type and moisture requirements and it is
intended that they will grow for at least the next 80 years. The benefits of this generous donation from the
Graham family will be felt for many generations to come!
To find out more about tree planting efforts at Grey Sauble Conservation visit:
https://www.greysauble.on.ca/forestry-services/.
If you are interested in offsetting your carbon footprint through tree planting, contact:
forestry@greysauble.on.ca.
For more information about this project: Graham Family Tree Planting and Carbon Sequestering Project

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For more information:
Mike Fry, Forestry Coordinator
Email: m.fry@greysauble.on.ca
Background:
Our vision is a healthy watershed environment in balance with the needs of society.
Our mission, in partnership with the stakeholders of the watershed, is to promote and undertake sustainable
management of renewable natural resources and to provide responsible leadership to enhance biodiversity
and environmental awareness.

Open PDF here: https://www.greysauble.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/MEDIA_RELEASE_GRAHAM_PLANT_JUNE2_2021.pdf

Grey Sauble Conservation Authority is seeking to fill the position of Forestry and Trails Technician.

Unfortunately, GSCA will not be offering summer day camp in 2021 due to COVID-19 related obstacles. 

GSCA remains committed to providing quality, safe day camp programming and we look forward to offering this in the future!

We are grateful for the support of our day camp community and would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding during this time.

Promote your local business in our 2021 Explore Guide and support important conservation work at the same time!

For more information, rates, and booking deadlines, see our Media Kit.