Blogs

This Earth Day, LEAF has a very exciting announcement to make: we’re expanding the Backyard Tree Planting Program to Ajax!

Did you know that an insect called the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is set to kill over 2.8 million ash trees across York Region in the next few years? LEAF is working in partnership with the Government of Ontario and York Region to educate students and help them take action through our Youth EAB Ambassador pilot program. Together we’ll plant new native trees and shrubs to fight EAB and restore our urban forest.

At Todmorden Mills, a small shed protected the remaining pieces of the Maple Leaf Forever Tree. On a cold February day, prospective designers took turns in that shed, looking for inspiration. There, in the corner, was a large piece calling our name. This was the beginning for the Ontario Wood Carvers Association - we had the wood, but we still had to decide what to do with it.

The subtle but immensely important roles nature and natural systems play in our daily lives, and by extension, the great value urban natural spaces have for city dwellers, is why the work LEAF does is so important and why I’m so glad to be the newest (re-) addition to the team.