LEAF and TTC partner to plant urban forest demonstration garden at Spadina Subway Station

 

Demonstration Garden at the Spadina Subway Station

(Toronto, ON – June 29, 2011)  Today LEAF - Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests and members of the local community planted an urban forest demonstration garden in front of the Walmer Rd. entrance of the Spadina TTC subway station. Planted and maintained by graduates of LEAF’s Volunteer Tree Tender Training Program, urban forest demonstration gardens showcase the beauty of native species and help build Toronto’s urban forest.

 

“We are proud to work with the TTC to make the commute that much greener for the thousands of people who pass through this station each day,” said Jessica Piskorowski, Education & Stewardship Coordinator, LEAF.  “The native trees, shrubs, and perennials we’ve planted will transform a previously underutilized area of turf into a beautiful pocket of biodiversity.”

 

“In time these beautified sites will improve the neighbourhood by filtering the air and absorbing CO2,” said Jennifer Crinion, LEAF’s lead volunteer steward for the site.  “And as we are planting exclusively native species, the gardens will provide an essential habitat for songbirds, butterflies and other pollinators.”

 

The Spadina garden will complement existing gardens at High Park, Bathurst, St. Clair and Old Mill TTC stations as part of an ongoing partnership between LEAF and the TTC.  As similar sites are planted throughout the city, LEAF is helping citizens beautify their neighbourhoods and create refuges for wildlife in urban spaces.

 

LEAF’s Volunteer Tree Tender Training Program and TTC urban forest demonstration gardens are currently supported by Ontario Power Generation, Live Green Toronto and the Canadian TREE Fund.

 

--30--

 

<back