For the past decade, our long-standing supporter Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited, and partner City of Toronto, have teamed up with us to organize an annual planting day that adds to Toronto’s canopy, strengthens its existing one, and is a whole lot of fun for everyone involved.
Every year, we:
- plant hundreds of native species, ranging from red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) to white spruce (Picea glauca)
- re-mulch plantings from previous years to keep plant roots cool and moist for the upcoming summer heat wave
- keep our city parks welcoming and trash-free by picking up litter
To date, we’ve helped to naturalize Taylor Massey Creek, Pine Point Park, Earl Bales Park, and Centennial Park. All three organizations count on LEAF’s Tree Tender Volunteer Training Graduates and experienced LEAF Volunteers to provide their leadership, knowledge, and enthusiasm to ensure all participants use proper planting techniques and to re-energize everyone’s personal commitment to the urban forest. They do a darn good job of it too!
By offering their time and energy to leading these planting events, our Volunteer Team Leaders aren’t only adding to their own planting and leadership experience, but also improving the survival rates of the plantings made that day.
My favourite planting day memory happened two years ago during my first Toronto Hydro planting. The weather varied drastically. Throughout the day, it was overcast, blizzarding, and thankfully also sunny. (If you don’t believe me, the photos don’t lie). It was the end of the day and after two hours we finished planting 250 new plants and re-mulched 250 previously planted specimens. Despite the crazy weather, everyone was happy and a sense of accomplishment reigned supreme.
LEAF Volunteer Team Leaders took a final look over the plantings and the last few families made their way up the hill for lunch. One boy, likely no more than four, found a wiggling pinky-brown strand on the ground and made sure anyone nearby knew about it. Mom picked it up and we all drew closer to investigate.
The emotions on the little boy’s face were pretty clear - curiosity and a little bit of fear. He so badly wanted to hold the creature but wasn’t yet ready to embrace this new friend. I offered up some information, teaching him what it was (a worm), where he lives (in the soil), and how he is a friend of the trees.
Questions were directed to mom in an unmistakable tone of exuberance. I led by example and reached out to give the worm the tiniest of nudges. A quick, smaller hand immediately lined up behind mine and the world was quiet as Mr. Worm officially became a friend. We admired him a bit more amidst some giggles and gently placed him back to his place of discovery. What a great way to finish the day!
It’s been a long winter. All of the time spent inside coordinating stewardship opportunities like these is worth every moment when I see fellow LEAF Volunteer Leaders share their hard-earned knowledge and inspire the next generation of environmental educators. Despite my brief fling with spring in North Carolina last month, I’m gripping to last year’s memories of sunshine and worms more and more as dirty-fingernail-season draws near. Bring it on. We’re ready!
So how will you celebrate Earth Day this year?