The City of Morden has partnered with a pair of programs and planted roughly 9,000 White Spruce Trees (Manitoba's Provincial Tree) Thursday and Friday.

"In my past experiences working with a local wood lot program and being a past employee with the Manitoba Forestry Association, it has allowed me to utilize my past contacts and take advantage of some of these programs that were on going," said City of Morden Parks Manager.

Parks Manager Shawn Dias noted on Thursday around 5,000 trees were planted on the northeast side of the city. This was a partnership between the Manitoba Forestry Association and Qualico Homes. Meanwhile, for the Friday plantings, the city teamed up with Manitoba's Department of Sustainable Development and planted 4,000 more trees on the southwest side of Morden. Friday's tree planting was in conjunction with National Forest Week (September 18th to 24th).

"When you get an opportunity like this, you need to take advantage of these situations," said Dias. "If we can work collaboratively with these partners and it helps our common goal to make it an aesthetically pleasing place to live and we realize the benefits tree's bring to our community. If we take advantage of that and plant seedlings now for future benefits. Then we are all in."

There were a number of students who came out to help plant trees for Friday's event. These students were came to help as part of their Outdoor Education class.