Branches and Banks

Mission Statement

“Cochrane Branches and Banks seeks to promote environmental stewardship and community spirit in the Town of Cochrane through the planting of trees and environmental enhancement activities within the community.”

Through this program Branches and Banks is trying to;

1) Increase awareness and knowledge of local watershed issues.  An environmental education program is part of both planting days, where specialists will speak to small groups of the school children and the public volunteers during the events to highlight the ecology of the local watershed. 2)  Improved conditions of local watersheds.  Restoration of riparian area of Bighill Creek [currently grassed areas] with native willows to help protect potential trout spawning sites.

3) Experiment and deevlop a new technique of planting pre-rooted willows native to the local area to reduce mortality of trees obtained from our native plant nursery.  Bow Valley Habitat Development harvested several willow cuttings from around the creek.  They have been rooted and maintained in a “hydroponic” system to establish extended root systems.  The willows will be planted in augured holes with the intent that the fast growing willows will establish quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the Branches and Banks Foundation?

The Branches and Banks Foundation is a registered non-profit society dedicated to organizing an annual tree plant and waterway clean-up held in Cochrane in mid-spring.  The project originated as a community event to promote the formation of the Cochrane Sustainable Communities Initiative (SCI).  It was also a symbolic gesture of sustainability and the philosophy of this organization.

Who is Involved?

The event is a family event, teaching young participants the benefits of volunteering and protecting the environment.  This is an opportunity for everyone to contribute to the wellness of our community, now and in the future.  Support and enthusiasm builds each year for this community development project.  The list of returning volunteers continues to grow larger as the project is eagerly anticipated each spring.

Starting in 2009, the project moved to a two day project again. The extra day is directed at developing a sense of stewardship with school age participants drawn from Glenbow Schools.  Working in cooperation with the school many links were created to various curriculum.   Both project days will involve a creek clean-up, removal of invasive species and the planting of about 1000 – 1500 native trees and shrubs.

Is this event supported by the community?

Approximately 35,000 trees have been planted in Cochrane by an estimated 3200+ volunteers since the inception (in 1996) of this community project and with the generous support of local businesses, corporations, community organizations, and provincial agencies.  A partial list of sponsors includes; Town of Cochrane, Alberta Stewardship Network, TransCanada Pipelines, Unilever –Evergreen, Evergreen- Home Depot, Spray Lake Sawmills Ltd, Bow River Basin Council, Eco-Action, TransAlta, , TD Friends of the Environment, Shell Environmental Fund, Bank of Montreal, Bow Point Nursery, The Cochrane Foundation, Cochrane Lions Club, Bow Meadows Community Assoc., Cochrane Environmental Action Committee, Guy’s Cafe, IGA, Rexall Drugs, Cochrane Coffee Traders, and Alberta Sport Recreation Park and Wildlife Foundation.

Where are the trees to be planted?/How are the sites chosen?

The trees and bushes are usually planted in areas with some existing canopies to help rejuvenate those zones and to try and increase the survival rate of the new plants.  This has included planting along the Bighill Springs Creek and the Jumping Pound Creek.

The sites are selected through a consultative process with Parks Department from the Town of Cochrane and other consultants and the committee.

When does this event take place?

The event occurs on the first Saturday of June.  It will be on June 4, 2011.

What are the day’s events?

The volunteers will meet at the Cochrane Ranche for a short breakfast snack and for registration and instructions.  Then volunteers are assigned to one of the planting areas where they are assigned duties by the “area leaders” who coordinate all the tasks for that zone.  The planting and waterway clean-up takes 1 1/2 – 2 hours.

The project includes an environmental awareness education program for the volunteers.  Several specialists are invited to develop short talks to highlight the ecology of the area.  Through these talks, we hope the volunteers will begin to have a greater appreciation of the local environment, and greater sense of pride and “ownership” in these projects. 

Branches and Banks Milestones

Our 20,000th tree was planted in 2003 and in part celebrating the Town’s centennial.  Branches and Banks also won the Emerald Foundation Award for Community Group in 2003.  The 25,000^th tree was planted two years later.

A major accomplishment for B & B in 2008 was the completion of the first of a set of educational signs slated for the waterways in Cochrane.  The sign provides a brief overview of a riparian zone as well as a meander belt.  It is located on the pathway just south of Glenbow Dr.  In 2010 we installed our second sign providing information about some of the species that can be found in the creek.  It is located near the bridge coming down from Glenhill Dr.  Also in 2010 B & B partnered with the Town and Spray Lake Sawmills to start a slope restoration project Park that had been badly overused and damaged in the Cochrane Ranche.  A spray mulch impregnated with native grasses was applied to decommissioned trails.