Devonshire Mall Gets Greener

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Ian Naisbitt, Detroit River Canadian Cleanup, Chris Savard, Devonshire Mall, Warden Tom Bain and ERCA Chair Ed Sleiman plant native flowers and plants at Devonshire Mall (Handout photo)

Devonshire Mall is getting greener.

Wednesday afternoon, partners from the Detroit River Cleanup and the Essex Region Conservation Authority joined management and retailers from Devonshire Mall today in creating a second native garden near the Bank of Montreal entrance.

Volunteers helped to plant the more than 1000 plants including Butterfly Milkweed, Obedient Plant, and Golden Alexanders.

“Devonshire Mall is committed to our community’s environment and is fortunate to work with the Essex Region Conservation Authority and the Detroit River Canadian Cleanup organizations in this important community project,” said Chris Savard, General Manager, Devonshire Mall.

The original outdoor native garden is located at the main entrance adjacent to TD Canada Trust, and the indoor atrium at the food court also feature all native plant species. “The Essex Region Conservation Authority salutes Devonshire Mall for their ongoing commitment to the environment. By working together as a community to create green spaces where appropriate, we can collectively improve our region’s water quality, provide important pollinator habitat, and showcase the relevance of these projects to urban residents,” added Ed Sleiman, ERCA Chairman.

“Projects and partnerships like this are vital to the health of our Detroit River. We hope that mall visitors and local residents will appreciate the garden for its beauty, see the benefits, and will be encouraged to try native plants in their gardens too,” said Claire Sanders, Coordinator of the Remedial Action Plan for the Detroit River.

This initiative complements the many environmental initiatives already underway at Devonshire Mall, including curbside recycling pickup provided to 160 retailers on a nightly basis, energy conservation lighting, high efficiency heat and cooling systems noting responsible temperature-set control, low flow water systems, clearly defined recycling stations located throughout the centre for public use as well as larger recycling stations for retailer use, yearly tenant recycling retention training, outdoor solar charging stations, and a successful yearly e-waste day not only collecting e-waste but expanded to clothing, tires, bicycles, paint and medication.