Community Programs

This spring, we asked our four Naturalization Assistants to share a memorable moment from their time working with LEAF. Whether guiding a young child through their first planting, connecting with families at a community event or learning directly from native species, each story highlights the unique ways this work builds relationships between people, places and plants we care for.

Ensuring native biodiversity in our urban forests plays a crucial role in building resilience against climate change, invasive species and disease. LEAF and the City of Oshawa are working together to educate the community about the importance of biodiversity, planting native species and taking action to restore Russett Park, an Oshawa woodlot.

This past spring, I had the opportunity to work as the Naturalization Assistant at LEAF and support their community planting events. At these events, we worked with LEAF volunteers and community participants to plant 1,250 native trees and shrubs in Richmond Hill and King. I’m excited to share my experiences of seeing how different people came together as a community to make a lasting impact on the environment.

Throughout May and early June, LEAF staff members were busy bees naturalizing public lands in the City of Richmond Hill. As a first-time tree planter, I was amazed that we were able to plant over 700 native trees and shrubs in just seven days! As I reflect back on the planting days, every day was unique and offered new learning opportunities for me. Here are three lessons I learned as a first-time tree planter!