August 27, 2021
Guest Blogger
This year, we are working with Toronto Community Housing (TCH) tenants to green their communities with almost 100 trees and over 200 shrubs. Meet one of the TCH tenants we have been lucky to work with: Annisha Stewart. Annisha is on a mission to green her community! She’s participated in multiple LEAF programs over the past two years, including the Tree Tenders training course this spring. Our TCH Stewardship Assistant, Nuradin, had the opportunity to interview Annisha about her experience with LEAF and the work she does for her community.
Volunteers with bags full of invasive plants
August 19, 2021
Sarah Halonen
Tags: stewardship
The first two years of a newly planted tree's life are crucial for its survival. That's why we hosted two volunteer stewardship events at recent naturalization planting sites in York Region this July. Our tree-rific team removed 54 bags of invasive plant species and mulched over 600 native trees and shrubs. In this blog, our new Stewardship Coordinator, Sarah Halonen, shares their first fieldwork experience!
Len Mirander with a tree
August 17, 2021
Guest Blogger
This year, we are working with Toronto Community Housing (TCH) tenants to green their communities with almost 100 trees and over 200 shrubs. Meet one of the TCH tenants we’ve been lucky to work with: Len Mirander. Len contributes a tremendous amount of time caring for his community, from protecting the trees provided by LEAF to tending to the community garden. Our TCH Stewardship Assistant, Ruiqi, had the pleasure of speaking with Len about his community work.
Leaf spot on grey dogwood
August 16, 2021
Adriana Rezai-S...
Providing your trees with regular water and nutrients is the key to ensuring they live long, healthy lives. Still, tree diseases can affect the aesthetics and health of your tree, and even have fatal consequences if left untreated.
tree canopy from below
August 09, 2021
Guest Blogger
Tags:
Walk past any of Toronto’s parks on a sunny day and you’ll notice, without fail, someone lounging under a tall majestic tree. It’s no secret that the best way to contend with the dog days of summer is by finding a nice, shady spot. But big cities like Toronto will likely experience more and more intense heat waves in the future. Is that same tree canopy the answer? Here’s how our urban forest is fighting to protect us from extreme heat.
July 28, 2021
Guest Blogger
This year, we are working with Toronto Community Housing (TCH) tenants to green their communities with almost 100 trees and over 200 shrubs. Meet one of the TCH tenants we've been so lucky to work with: Aisha Chohan. Aisha participated in the Young Urban Forest Leaders (YUFL) program in 2020. Now, in 2021 she is engaging her neighbours to beautify their greenspace with native shrubs and fostering a sense of camaraderie in her community. Hoping to inspire others, she shares her experience!
Danijela headshot
July 15, 2021
Janet McKay
Danijela Puric-Mladenovic has recently joined the LEAF Board of Directors. In this blog, our Executive Director, Janet McKay interviews Danijela about her experience and her motivation for becoming a LEAF Board member.
Danielle holding silver maple leaf
June 28, 2021
Guest Blogger
Throughout May and early June, LEAF staff members were busy bees naturalizing public lands in the City of Richmond Hill. As a first-time tree planter, I was amazed that we were able to plant over 700 native trees and shrubs in just seven days! As I reflect back on the planting days, every day was unique and offered new learning opportunities for me. Here are three lessons I learned as a first-time tree planter!
Eastern redbud leaf damaged by leafcutter bee
June 14, 2021
Adriana Rezai-S...
Caring for your trees and shrubs by providing them with regular water and nutrients is the key to ensuring they live long, healthy lives. While this is true, there are some other external factors that can impact your tree/shrub’s health, such as climate, damage, disease and of course, pests.
Two large tulip trees planted in a backyard
June 10, 2021
Brenna Anstett
Thinking of planting a tree on your property? Planting trees is an excellent way to enhance your outdoor space. Trees also offer a number of wonderful benefits such as shade, privacy, wildlife food and habitat, increased property values and more. However, in order to maximize these benefits to their fullest, it is important to ensure you are planting your new tree in the right place!

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