LEAF community planting events are not just a great way for people to connect with nature and the urban forest, but with each other as well. Community participants come from many different backgrounds; some with experience in the environmental field and many who had never planted a tree before. Some come with friends, while others come with children and family members. But everyone comes with a shared interest in helping grow the urban forest.
At each tree planting event I attended, LEAF staff and volunteers led tree-planting demonstrations for community participants. Each stage of the tree planting process was explained and supervised. Participants were taught how to safely and correctly use their tools, dig holes, plant saplings, and fashion a mulch ring around the newly planted tree or shrub. I found guiding someone through the planting of their first tree to be a very rewarding experience.
LEAF’s tree-planting strategies ensured that everyone who came out to the community planting events left feeling confident that the trees and shrubs they planted had the best chance of thriving in their new home. They also left with new skills and knowledge that they can use and share wherever they go next.
It was incredible to work with so many diverse people who share a common goal, reminding me that volunteering can be such a fun and rewarding way to meet like-minded people who share similar interests. It was also inspiring to see new connections being formed between community members, such as parents who had brought their children, people connecting with community and faith-based groups, people with scientific backgrounds sharing ideas around sustainability and environmentalism, and people who simply shared a passion for nature or gardening. Witnessing this community building was such a positive experience and fostered a greater sense of community for me.
As a long-time resident of Richmond Hill, and a frequent visitor of some of the planting locations, these events have been an incredibly rewarding personal experience – at times, it felt like I was planting in my own backyard with my newly-found neighbours. After all our hard work, I feel a stronger sense of responsibility to steward these places. Now, every time I visit these areas, I keep an eye out for the trees and shrubs that we planted and make a mental note of their progress. I feel more connected to the land, the wildlife, the people that share these spaces, and the surrounding communities. I can’t wait to see how it all grows in the future.
If you’re interested in getting involved in a LEAF community planting event, please check out our events page for more information.
Ramez Haider is the Naturalization Assistant at LEAF.
These planting and stewardship events are supported by the Regional Municipality of York, City of Richmond Hill and, the Township of King.