Blogs

Although we were left wondering whether spring would ever actually arrive, the signs of new life in each of our six urban forest demonstration gardens are sure indicators that our pollinator friends will be visiting soon!

The Great Lakes contain nearly 20% of the earth’s fresh surface water. But pollution and other urban pressures, are taking their toll on this resource, and it is currently believed that the Great Lakes are at “a tipping point of irreversible decline.”

LEAF interviews local Junction artist, Nicola Woods, about her upcoming art exhibit as part of the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival. The project features beautiful ‘portraits’ of the Junction’s street trees.

Trees are valued for the many benefits they provide to our global landscapes. They offer us shade on hot days, provide important habitat and food for our native wildlife, combat climate change by sequestering carbon, increase property value and improve mental health – just to name a few! In honour of Earth Day, I want to share one particular benefit of our trees – their ability to decrease stormwater runoff and filter pollutants!

A hardy, urban shade tree, the hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) can easily withstand strong winds, pollution, heat, salt, and tough soils, while still adding visual interest and beauty to a landscape. This tree often flies under the radar, but its ability to attract a variety of wildlife makes it the perfect tree to help you create a diverse ecosystem in your own backyard.