The Flood Mitigation Community Advisory Committee (CAC) is looking to give new life to some of the trees slated for removal due to upcoming flood mitigation work.
While the project is still in its early stages, the committee is looking for ideas and ways to honour the trees, their legacy, and their history in the Drumheller Valley.
“Some of these trees have to come down, but some are old, stately trees that have historic value for the valley,” CAC member Wayne Powell told the Mail.
One idea the committee is considering is to enlist tree carvers to craft benches or other art installations; this was inspired after some committee members watched a chainsaw carving competition in Hope, B.C.
Fellow committee members Harvey Saltys and Tony Miglecz visited three berm sites on Wednesday, March 9 in Centennial Park, Midland, and Newcastle where tree removal is slated to take place later in March.
At each site, they tied orange markers around the trunks of trees at least two to three feet around and with relatively straight trunks in good condition.
Once removed, the trees will be stored at a town storage site to dry out before being repurposed, giving the committee time to collect community feedback and ideas for this project.
Anyone who would like to submit feedback or an idea can contact the Community Advisory Committee at floodcommittee@drumheller.ca for more information on this project.
