York Region

By now, most of you have probably heard about the Emerald Ash Borer. Whether you’ve read an article about the invasive pest in a local newspaper, attended a municipal information night, or heard about it from one of our EAB Ambassadors, word is getting around that this tiny insect is going to have a huge impact on our ash trees. That said, numbers on a page an estimated 700,000 ash trees in York Region’s urban areas are at risk of infestation may be one thing, but actually getting out there to see first-hand the impact that the borer is having on the trees in your neighbourhood is another.

Planting this fall, I couldn't help but remember Joe O’Connor’s sentiment in the National Post as he recalled his ‘90s tree planting days, “Planting sucks. Oh Lord, how it sucks. But I loved it.” I’ve thought the same thing several times across Toronto and York Region this season - but for me, loving it outshines the challenges. LEAF planted about 280 trees this fall. Andrea, our Field Operations Supervisor, and I were responsible for almost a quarter. With the cooling air and stunning fall colours accompanying us outdoors, the experience was highly memorable.

It's going to be a busy weekend. We get excited each year around this time as millions of people in over 175 countries around the globe get together to celebrate our home. This year we're spreading out to connect with diverse communities and share tips on stewarding the planet at a local level. And while Earth Day falls on Sunday, I wanted to share all of the weekend's events we'll be attending - I hope you can join us!