Beamsville’s Knight Archives once again teaming up with Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority
There’s one kind of spring cleaning that’s vital to individuals and businesses alike but often gets overlooked and put off.
Fortunately, throughout April, there’s a way to take care of that task while helping plant trees to improve the Niagara tree canopy. Beamsville’s Knight Archives is once again teaming up with the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority for a month-long paper shredding fundraiser that will help get trees planted at the mouth of 40 Mile Creek in Grimsby.
“We have been very blessed in our business and it is only right to give back, and we prefer to give back to our community that has supported us over these years,” said Jane Lockard, president of Knight Archives.
“And we want to be a green company. And considering that the commodity of trees can be refurbished, we want to do that.”
“We needed the facility to look after our records because we had a lot, and we looked around and decided we could do it ourselves,” said Lockard.
For several years, they held an Earth Day paper shredding fundraiser to support a local charity. Last year they partnered with NPCA and expanded to run the fundraiser throughout April.
This year, the NPCA has chosen 40 Mile Creek. Lockard said they hope to match last year’s total, though it could mean fewer trees as this year the NPCA will be planting more mature trees, which cost more.
Kerry Royer, NPCA community outreach and engagement specialist, said the partnership is a great example of what’s possible when groups work together.
“This whole project is just an excellent example of really good collaboration between a number of different organizations: the municipality and the conservation authority and a local business,” she said. “And when everybody’s working together toward common goals, it just makes everything go smoother.”
Royer said there’s been an increase in interest in the tree canopy, both on the private and public side, as businesses, individuals and governments gain a better understanding of climate change and biodiversity. Partnerships like the one with Knight Archives, she said, will help Niagara get to its targets sooner.
“If we’re expanding our ways of funding these things, we can get a little further,” she said.
In some instances of large purges, Lockard said they can come and pick it up and encouraged anyone interested to visit their website at knightarchives.com for more details.
Proper handling of important documents is important for businesses and individuals alike, Lockard said. Sensitive company information or company secrets need to be treated with care, and letting your personal documents get into the wrong hands could lead to identity theft, Lockard warned. Leaving paper sitting in musty basements can also lead to issues with mould.
The tree planting at 40 Mile Creek is expected to be volunteer-led, and Royer said they were aiming to do it on or around Earth Day. Anyone interested in volunteering can email Royer at kroyer@npca.ca.