Inspired by Amanda and Matthew at the Guildwood information session, and primed following the EAB tutorial, Linda and I began talking up the EAB project with folks in each of our neighbourhoods. Mine, as it turns out, has the most vulnerable trees.
On foot and on bike throughout August I surveyed the area embraced by Yonge and Bathurst Streets and Lawrence and Fairlawn Avenues. Residents who may have spotted me must have wondered, “Who is this curious woman who stops intermittently to jot down notes in her little book?” Fortunately I must not be that threatening, because no one called me on it!
On a Sunday in October, Linda and I teamed up to finally commence our door-to-door visits. We went to 13 homes on Woburn Avenue and made 4 actual connections where we had fulsome conversations, leaving those we met with various LEAF information pieces. For people we didn’t connect with, we dropped flyers in their mailboxes.
Happily, in each case where we connected, the homeowners were very appreciative. Of interest, on one of the properties identified in my August survey, the ash tree in question had been cut down. As well, a number of the ash trees that I had identified had a green horizontal paint strip on them that was not there previously. We recalled from the tutorial that Amanda and Matthew gave that “green is good,” but couldn’t recall specifically what it implied. Amanda confirmed it for us - it means they are marked to be treated. Yeah for the City!
With 42 homes left on our list, we took to the streets again in November, covering Bedford Park, Douglas and Glengarry Avenues. Happily, 29 trees had green paint strips on them. One tree had been taken down. Of the 12 remaining homes, we were able to speak with eight homeowners. Those we spoke to were appreciative of our efforts to inform and we expect a number of them will follow up with a call to the city.
The outcome? Of the original 68 trees identified, we lost two trees over the course of the fall and saw 41 with the ever so beautiful green strips. We spoke directly with 12 home owners and left information packages with another 13.
In my experience, I found that working as a team reduces the apprehension typically felt about cold-calling, and sharing the sound bites with someone else makes these visits very manageable.
“Like you, I have an ash tree in my front yard and just want to share information you may find useful,” I would say, introducing myself as a neighbour. And this seemed to establish immediate rapport. Rather than trying to cover too much, we would lead with three to four bits of information (the infestation risk, scope of the issue, there are solutions) and they would usually ask questions, providing an opportunity to convey more. Those who knew of LEAF had nothing but praise for the work we were doing. And we’re looking forward to taking up the cause again next spring!
Donna MacCandlish and Linda Bedard are both volunteers with LEAF and EAB Ambassadors for their neighbourhood.