Local oil company employees gathered at Midale Central School in Midale on Monday, and with the assistance of students planted trees and shrubs at the entrance to the school.

The planting was part of the Energy in Action initiative by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP), which initiated the program in 2004.

Representatives of 11 companies in the southeast were involved in the tree planting, along with students from Grades 4-6, who were taught about environmental stewardship, and what the companies are doing to promote it.

"It's important for companies in the oil and gas industry to cooperate in an event such as this because we all have a common commitment to protect our environment, to be a part of local communities and to demonstrate safety," said co-chair of the event, Twila Walkeden of EnCana.

"The students and volunteers who took part in this activity learned how the term 'stewardship' encompasses environmental protection, community enhancement and safety at home and at work," she added.

In addition to the planting of trees and shrubs, these activities include an education module specially designed by Inside Education, a non-profit society that offers public education and outreach programming on the relationship between environmental sustainability and economic development.

This Energy in Action event was one of 14 held across Canada between May 1 and May 24.

CAPP represents 150 companies that explore for, develop and produce oil and gas throughout Canada; their member companies produce more than 95 per cent of Canada's natural gas and crude oil.