WHITBY, ON – On Saturday, MPP Lorne Coe stopped by to meet with people taking part in a family-friendly Earth Day tree planting event at D’Hillier Park in Whitby that was coordinated by LEAF, a local environmental organization. For MPP Coe, it was also a chance to hear from LEAF’s Executive Director Janet McKay about the impact that a three-year, $304,500 Grow grant awarded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) in 2020 has had on its work to increase tree cover and enhance plant and wildlife biodiversity in the region.

“Pleased that the Ontario Trillium Foundation Grow grant is encouraging Whitby residents to support a healthy and sustainable environment, and to participate in ecosystem conservation and restoration efforts which have a positive impact on the lives of community members,” said Lorne Coe, MPP for Whitby and Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier.

The event was one of many planting activities undertaken by LEAF since expanding to Durham Region in 2020 with the support of the OTF Grow grant. Since then, LEAF has been engaging people in the region to support a healthy and sustainable environment through native tree and shrub plantings on private and public property. During its time in Durham Region, more than 1,300 residents have been engaged in planting efforts on private and public lands, with more than 3,000 native trees and shrubs planted.

“The impact of this Ontario Trillium Foundation Grow Grant cannot be underestimated,” said Janet McKay, Executive Director, LEAF. “With this grant, LEAF is able to work alongside municipalities to improve communities through tree planting and stewardship on public lands. This work is essential to mitigating climate change, restoring biodiversity and making our communities greener and more pleasant for residents. To be able to engage with community members through our planting events again this spring benefits everyone involved.”

Funds from the grant have been used over a three-year period to help with staffing costs for three positions, some key administrative costs, supplies for tree-planting activities and garden kits too.

LEAF is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to protecting and improving the urban forest. LEAF teaches about trees and engages citizens in urban forest stewardship through various planting and education programs. The LEAF Backyard Tree Planting Program is a subsidized tree planting program available to residential, commercial and multi-unit property owners in the City of Toronto, York Region and several municipalities in Durham Region.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations celebrates 40 years of grant-making in Ontario and making a lasting impact in communities. Last year, OTF invested over $110M into 1,022 community projects and partnerships, which included funding for the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund. Visit otf.ca to learn more.

MEDIA CONTACT: 

Justin Lewis – Marketing and Communications Lead, LEAF
416-413-9244 | justin@yourleaf.org