1. What inspired you to join the LEAF Board of Directors?
My connection to the environment has been grounded in hands-on community work. I fondly recall my volunteer experience at a community farm in Ecuador supporting crop planting while learning about soil health and biodiversity. Tree planting has also been a long-standing personal tradition, including partaking in a farm Boxing Day tradition of planting trees, reinforcing my deep appreciation for long-term stewardship and care of natural spaces.
With LEAF, I’ve admired their work through volunteering with the organization since I moved to the Durham region. When the opportunity to join the board came up, I knew it was fate, and I am very excited to get even more involved in the initiatives and efforts that make LEAF the great organization that it is.
2. What experience do you bring to this role?
I’ve always been an enthusiast when it came to environmental stewardship, and it began early in life for me. In grade six, I served as Environment Leader at my elementary school and acted as a youth spokesperson on YTV, advocating for environmental awareness. In high school, I founded a student-led Recycling Club that established the first school-wide recycling program, mobilizing volunteers and embedding sustainable practices into daily classroom routines.
Professionally, I currently serve as a Product and Program Manager in the public sector, managing a revenue-generating portfolio valued at approximately $50M. My role requires governance-oriented judgment, financial oversight, strategic evaluation and collaboration across diverse stakeholders. I regularly review financial models, performance metrics and risk considerations to support sustainable decision-making.
I view my experience, along with my passion for the environment, as what brought me to this role. My experiences shaped my belief that meaningful environmental change requires a strategic view, planning and community engagement. I am looking forward to contributing with LEAF.
3. What do you see as some of the most pressing issues facing urban forests?
I see many threats to urban forests around me, as we often undervalue natural spaces while countries, cities and communities remain heavily focused on development. Urban growth frequently results in tree removal and reduces opportunities for new planting, making it increasingly important to balance development with the protection of the urban tree canopy.
At the same time, inequities in canopy coverage mean that some neighbourhoods have far less access to the benefits trees provide, such as shade, cleaner air, cooler temperatures and improved well-being. Additionally, many areas with dense canopy cover rely on mature trees that are nearing the end of their lifespan, putting these communities at risk of significant canopy loss in the years ahead if proactive planning and replanting efforts are not prioritized. So, I believe the challenge is twofold: managing the pressures of urban development while also preparing for an aging tree population.
4. How do you see LEAF currently, or potentially, addressing some of these issues?
LEAF works directly within communities to strengthen urban forest resilience, particularly in areas with lower tree canopy cover. Through initiatives such as the Backyard Tree Planting Program, which provides native trees and shrubs at subsidized costs, and the Young Urban Forest Leaders Program, which educates and empowers youth to become environmental stewards, LEAF is helping build healthier, greener and more equitable communities.
By combining tree planting, education, stewardship and community engagement, LEAF is demonstrating leadership in creating a more sustainable urban forest for the future. Its emphasis on proactive planting, long-term tree care and public awareness helps communities address some of the most pressing challenges facing urban forests today, including ongoing urban development pressures, inequities in canopy coverage and the risks associated with aging tree populations. Through these efforts, LEAF is not only enhancing the urban forest of today, but also helping ensure its resilience for future generations.
5. Are you involved in any other community initiatives?
I am on the Green Team at the Ismaili Community Centre – Scarborough, where we are working on initiatives like reducing waste, recycling, saving energy, local community engagements, planting trees and much more.
We are thrilled to have Shehmeen bring her enthusiasm, experience and leadership to the LEAF Board! Her dedication to community and effecting positive change will help shape our work and strengthen our impact in the years ahead.
Janet McKay is the Executive Director at LEAF.
Shehmeen Bhatia is an Urban Forest Champion – someone who has made a positive impact on our urban forest through their professional, volunteer or personal efforts.