There are 33 new trees in the ground and growing in Okotoks thanks to the Okotoks Rotary Club.

Okotoks Rotary Club Secretary Leah Koski says the recent tree-planting initiative all started with a challenge issued by Rotary International to Rotary Clubs world wide.

"They've asked every club in the world to plant a tree for every member," Koski explains. "And we have 33 members, so we planted 33 trees."

She adds that in addition to the tree planting in town, Rotary Club members are being encouraged to plant trees on their own properties. Koski says the initiative helps launch a newly-introduced area of service for rotary clubs.

"We have our areas of service and this year, they've actually added a new area of service, which is the environment," Koski says. "So that was to, I think, kick off this new area of service that they've included in rotary's mandate."

Koski points out that the Town of Okotoks provided the location for the tree plantings and K C Landscaping helped out with digging the holes.

The new grove, made up of a variety of tree species, was planted on Cimarron Way this past Wednesday.

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