Amanda Gomm's posts

For the past three and a half years, LEAF has been my extended family. When I was first hired as Volunteer Coordinator in 2009, the committed group of volunteers and Tree Tenders welcomed me with open arms. I’ve never felt more accepted into a community. But like a tree, I have grown and the time has come to put out new branches.

Last February I had the pleasure of traveling to Barcelona, Fés and Rome on an intense adventure. While most tourists were mesmerized by the ancient buildings, local bars and cafes, I was more interested in the trees. Growing up in Canada I don’t often think about an urban world without large parks, wild ravines and backyards or green spaces around apartment’s complexes where kids can play, but while in Barcelona I was reminded that this is not true for everyone.

Last fall I had the pleasure of seeing Peter Simon speak about boulevard trees at the annual OUFC (Ontario Urban Forestry Council) Conference. He grabbed my attention right away with a historic introduction to how and where street trees first came to be and then moved to our very own city, back when horse and buggy were still the main source of wheeled-transportation. I fell in love with the topic.