After completing the Tree Tender Volunteer Training course back in 2007, Christina was eager to encourage people to create habitat for songbirds on their own property by planting native species that provide food and shelter year round. With wildlife in mind, Project CHIRP! was born, right in her Etobicoke backyard. Christina couldn’t have picked a more convenient location to start this up, and her backyard garden continues to thrive with a variety of native species.
Project CHIRP! (the “chirp” stands for Creating Habitat in Residential areas and Parklands) aimed to demonstrate how native species can be planted on residential properties to provide habitat for both local and migratory song birds. The first plantings for Project CHIRP! were done by LEAF. She started with 12 eastern white cedars, and has since purchased several other species, including elderberry, serviceberry, and dogwood.
The Tree Tenders Volunteer Training course also provided Christina with valuable knowledge about the general anatomy of a tree and the lateral extent of roots, which made her more aware of how necessary it is to protect them from damage. Far too often, home renovations and construction sites do not provide trees with adequate (or any) tree and root protection. When she saw a need for a huge increase in education and awareness, Christina conducted property consultations to help others create songbird habitat.
Now that Christina’s backyard garden has no more room for planting, she gets to spend most of her time enjoying her outdoor oasis, and with the temperatures finally rising, her garden is beginning to burst with colour. Native species generally require minimum maintenance, but with the upcoming summer heat, she will be staying on top of watering and mulching her gardens to keep those songbirds singing!
After expanding the urban forest over the course of three years, Christina felt that the project had served its purpose and she has shifted her focus elsewhere.
I recently caught up with Christina to talk about what she’s up to now. Since no longer focusing her time on Project CHIRP!, she is volunteering at LEAF. Focusing on expanding the Urban Forest Stewardship Network (UFSN), she’s been working to find likeminded stewardship groups, specifically those who enhance and restore natural vegetation, and encouraging them to join the UFSN. Active engagement is, after all, the best way to raise awareness and the UFSN website is a great place to showcase the projects of the many groups working to protect and build the urban forest.
As a longstanding volunteer with LEAF, Christina is someone truly focused on greening and we are thankful to have her on our team, protecting and improving the urban forest. If you’re interested in attracting songbirds to your own backyard, we have several native garden kits that will bring your backyard to life. You can also sign up for our next Tree Tenders Volunteer Training course to gain valuable knowledge and start your own urban forest initiative.
What projects are you working on to benefit the urban forest?