Abayomi has been an active participant in planting and caring for native trees and shrubs on his property. He has gone a step further this year by completing the Tree Tenders Training Course, gaining 15 hours of training in tree biology, identification, care and maintenance and so much more!
Community Housing Stewardship Assistant, Moesha Dominique, had the pleasure of interviewing Abayomi about his thoughts and experiences in the TCHC Planting and Stewardship Program.
Jumping worms are invasive earthworms belonging to several genera including Amynthas, Metaphire and Pheretima. Native to the grasslands of East-Central Asia, they were introduced to North America in the late 1800s. In Canada, small populations have been seen in southern Ontario (including Toronto, Hamilton and Windsor), New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
There are so many things I love about planting new trees - the freshness of spring air, the earthy scents and the camaraderie I feel with fellow planters. Looking across a new development’s cascading rows of grass-laid backyards, I’ve felt there’s nothing quite as rewarding as witnessing a community's vibrant green transformation with the magic touch of native trees, shrubs or perennials.
Simply put, developed urban areas tend to be warmer than their surrounding rural or less developed regions. Urban areas are a complex interaction between human-made infrastructure and the natural world. Our day-to-day activities create heat – think about car engines, air conditioner exhaust or streetlights. Not only this, but cities often amplify heat through solid surfaces like concrete or pavement, which absorb more heat and radiate it back into the surrounding environment.
The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive planthopper insect native to parts of China, India and Vietnam. First established in Pennsylvania, U.S.A. in 2014, it has since spread to several other American states, causing widespread concern. They were added to Canada’s regulated pest list in 2018 to help prevent future infestations.
If you are interested in planting native trees in your backyard, LEAF's Backyard Tree Planting (BYTP) program is the ideal choice. The program includes a personalized consultation with a LEAF arborist who will assess your space and recommend native species that suit your unique growing conditions and help achieve your planting goals.
The mural was commissioned as part of an exciting project to create a safe and vibrant public space at LEAF’s community garden at Bathurst Station. Work on the mural began in the fall of 2023, as Thomas Sinclair, an Ojibway Woodland artist, brought his unique vision to life.
All three of our service areas – Toronto, York Region and Durham Region – have set ambitious goals to increase canopy cover. But why is this so important when Canada is ranked third in the world for total forest cover? Part of the reason is that increasing canopy cover has numerous benefits that directly impact human well-being. Trees help lower temperatures, which can reduce energy costs for cooling. They also improve air quality and contribute to better mental and physical health for the people living in these areas.
Tree equity refers to the fair distribution of trees and green spaces within a community, ensuring that all neighborhoods, regardless of socioeconomic status or demographics, have equal access to the benefits that trees provide.