Partnership with Sherwood Fox Aboretum - UWO
Over the past year we developed a wonderful relationship and partnership with the Sherwood Fox Arboretum at the University of Western Ontario. Our goal is to collect seeds from rare native tree species on the Walpole Island First Nation to be germinated and grown for planting within habitat recovery projects within our traditional territory. This partnership is in its infancy and we hope to involve children from our First Nation in the near future in all aspects of the project - similar to Trees for Tomorrow program. Kentucky Coffee tree seed pods still on the tree One of the tree species that we collected seeds from was the Kentucky Coffee tree. Walpole Island is home to the rare Kentucky Coffee tree which is federally listed as a species at risk. There are only approximately 25 native populations of this tree species in southern Ontario. Of those sites, only a handful are known to produce seeds - one being located on Walpole Island. Chi-Miigwech to the Walpole Island - landholders for allowing us to collect Kentucky Coffee tree seed pods from the trees on their land. This species and others are currently being grown at the Sherwood Fox Arboretum at the University of Western Ontario in London. Special thanks to Dr. Jane Bowles, Director of the Arboretum, and staff at UWO for growing and caring for the trees. Once strong enough the trees will be planted on and around Walpole Island. Ohio Buckeye tree seedlings growing in a UWO greenhouse Kentucky Coffee tree seeds within the seed pods
	Kentucky Coffee tree seed pods within the seed pods