April 15, 2026
Visitor (not verified)
Tags: Urban Forest
Writer, environmental activist and documentary filmmaker Erna Buffie shares the story behind her new book, and how what first felt like a daunting prospect turned into one of the most rewarding experiences of her career. It would prove an incredible opportunity to showcase the extraordinary benefits of urban trees, examine the challenges behind steep urban forest decline, and celebrate the work of Trees Please Winnipeg and other groups across North America fighting to protect their urban trees and forests.
April 01, 2026
Janet McKay
Tags:
As LEAF celebrates its 30th anniversary, we are reflecting both on where we began and where the next generation of environmental leadership might lead. For this first story in our anniversary series, we brought together two voices from different points in our timeline: LEAF founder, Janet McKay, and emerging environmental leader and long-time LEAF program participant, Dany Ko.
April 01, 2026
Joel S.
Tags: Invasive Species
You may be surprised to learn how common some of the most aggressive and impactful invasive plants are – they might even be in your own yard or garden! Species such as tree of heaven, common buckthorn and Japanese knotweed are thriving across Southern Ontario, both in disturbed or neglected spaces and as deliberate plantings from years past. Read on to learn why their spread is concerning, and which native plants can easily replace them on your property.
March 17, 2026
Jess Wilkin
Tags: Invasive Species
Uh-oh! It looks like your trees may be in for some not-so-friendly visitors this year. We’re highlighting three invasive threats you should watch out for, how they impact trees, the signs and symptoms to spot and what you can do to help manage them.
February 23, 2026
Amba P
Tags:
Capture a sense of place in a bottle, shaped by time and fermentation. The flavour of eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) soda reflects local trees, seasonal timing, and the microbes present in your home environment. This guide shows how to make pine soda at home, inviting you outside in late winter to work with the landscape around you.
January 29, 2026
Justin Lewis
You might think you know Kentucky coffeetree, honey locust and pawpaw, but are you aware these familiar trees hold a secret dating back to North America’s Ice Age? Their tough or oversized fruits evolved to be eaten and carried by massive mammals that no longer roam our landscapes. Keep reading to explore these lost partnerships and discover how echoes of that ancient world still appear in the trees around us today.
January 12, 2026
Jess Wilkin
In November 2025, we returned to over 50 young trees planted through the Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) Planting and Stewardship Program to provide structural pruning. This is an essential practice that supports long-term tree health, boosting the efforts of the TCHC tenants who care for the trees year-round. Read on to learn about this practice and how it supports TCHC trees!
December 03, 2025
Janet McKay
Tags:
As a small and busy non-profit organization, we are very focused on our day-to-day activities, constantly evaluating and improving what we do and how we do it. Yet the “why” is usually what donors, volunteers and program participants care about most. Every so often it’s important to ask ourselves what we are trying to achieve and if our actions are aligned with our goals.
December 03, 2025
Elizabeth Chir
My name is Elizabeth and I am a recent graduate of the Young Urban Forest Leaders (YUFL) program. I had a wonderful time nerding out with other YUFL participants about trees all summer and gaining skills and tools to further my forestry career. Keep reading to see what I learned with the YUFL and how it’s shaping my path in urban forestry.
December 03, 2025
Jessie Cripton
Tags: Housing York Inc.
Over the past year, LEAF has been working with Housing York Inc. and York Region to bring more trees to several Housing York Inc. (HYI) communities. This pilot initiative is designed to increase the tree canopy, create inviting outdoor spaces and give residents a chance to shape their surroundings. Our Community Housing Stewardship Coordinator, Jessie, shares their thoughts on launching this initiative and how it made a difference in the lives of HYI residents.