While the seasons are on the switch, Swift Current is looking slightly greener than before.

That's because the Go Green event returned for one of its biggest years to date.

Go Green is an event put on by Stark and Marsh in partnership with the City of Swift Current that sees volunteers planting trees, shrubs, and other greenery around different locals within the city.

Elden Moberg, chief executive officer for Stark and Marsh, was thrilled to be able to help bring back the event and the lush greenery that comes with it.

"I go drive around the city and there's so many areas where you can see the efforts of this initiative," said Moberg. "I think that's a good thing. For the people that are involved in this project, I think it's just an opportunity to say we've done some things to contribute to the community."

Covering 13 different sites across Swift Current, the trees planted for this year's event will help not only spruce up the scenery but help to improve the ecology of the city as well. Trees serve as vital homes for wildlife and pollinators, like squirrels and birds, and bees with their hives.

Also happening on Friday, was the Go Green Barbeque, which fed not only volunteers from the day's work but had burgers and other refreshments for sale to anyone walking past Market Square. They had music and comments from Go Green organizers about the effect on the city and its denizens.

All the proceeds from the barbeque were going towards the Southwest Newcomer Welcome Centre, helping to keep the barbeque in the theme of giving back to the community.

"What a great cause," Moberg said about the Welcome Centre. "They also are participating in the event. They had some people who were out working this morning and doing that as well. We really like to partner with them and this was a good opportunity to give back to them as well."

2022's Go Green event saw a massive wave of support from the community with nearly double their regular volunteer turnout. One hundred and ninety volunteers ventured out into the city, helping plant shrubs and bushes. Supplying some of those volunteers were partner organizations with the event, like the Innovation Credit Union.

Sheldon Hess is the Chief Finacial Officer for Innovation Credit Union.

"It's part of our cooperative values, the concern for community and our involvement in the community as part of our purpose, which is really around responsible banking," said Hess. "Focusing on the communities and working with those organizations that have helped make us successful."

Innovation Credit Union wasn't alone in their support of the event, as SaskAbilities and their clients were also making use of Go Green to get out and experience the community effort.

"Our group had just had a blast helping green up the community and doing the work that we did," said Martens. "There were three staff and three clients, and we were all working away, planting trees, planting some flowers, spreading some mulch, helping beautify Memorial Park, and I tell you, everyone was there just had a smile on their face the whole way through."

This year saw 2,700 trees and shrubs invested back into community spaces. That's the main purpose of Go Green, is to keep those community spaces fresh and beautiful. Without maintenance, upkeep, and new additions, the lively blossoms that come each spring and the green canopies casting summer shade won't be constant for Swift Current denizens. This event helps ensure that generations of families will have lovely parks to stroll through, play in, and enjoy.

"I think it just shows how much the community wanted to get back together and how much I think the community appreciates the project," said Congdon.

Some of the key locations beautified this year include;

-Memorial Park
-The Kiwanis Bike Course
-The Dog Park
-The Highland Coulee Mountain Bike Course
-Battleford Trail (intersection)
-Ashley Park
-Douglas Drive
-The Chinook Parkway