Algoma Steel and Sault College have partnered on an initiative to help green part of the steel-maker’s Sault Ste. Marie campus.

A team of 19 second-year Sault College students from the college’s Forest Technician – Conservation Program will plant more than 2,000 seedlings on a wind berm along the St. Mary’s River – a 2.2-acre stretch that buffers the wind from Algoma’s coal piles.

The seedlings, which were grown in the Sault College greenhouse, include a mix of mix of red oak, eastern white cedar, jack pine, white pine, red pine, white spruce, and willow seedlings. They are being introduced to the area where biosolids were previously placed to augment the soil and propagate ground cover.

Through collaborations with partners like Sault College, Algoma has developed a comprehensive site-greening plan for the 120-year-old steelworks. It aims to create naturalized green buffer strips along the perimeter of the site by introducing soils, creating seasonal surface water ponding areas, and vegetating with native plants and tree species.

“The growing and planting of these seedlings will contribute to the creation of resilient, biologically diverse green mosaics enhancing the quality of water runoff while also capturing and reducing the local effects of airborne dust particles,” said Adam Hodgson, Natural Environment Professor.

“Through close collaboration with our partners at Sault College, Algoma’s planned site-greening is moving quickly from concept to reality. The program has benefited greatly from the college’s expertise in reforestation and the engagement of students from the beginning of the program, who can actively track and experience this important initiative,” said Algoma CEO Michael D. Garcia. “This project is building an innovative ‘living lab’ to augment the student’s education and provide valuable, real-life experience that they can carry with them into their future careers.”

Algoma is a fully integrated producer of hot and cold rolled steel products including sheet and plate. The company is a key supplier of steel products to customers in Canada and Midwest USA and is the only producer of plate steel products in Canada.