Toronto, ON – October 8, 2024 Tenants and staff from Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) and staff members from the City of Toronto's Urban Forestry Branch, along with partners from Green Communities Canada and LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests), recently gathered to celebrate another year of their ongoing partnership to increase the tree canopy on TCHC properties.
The celebration took place at 75 Tandridge Crescent, where 39 native trees were planted from 2020 to 2024 as part of the TCHC Planting and Stewardship Program. Species planted included serviceberry, bur oak, American elm and Freeman maple. Tree planting and stewardship plans are developed by LEAF with input from TCHC staff and tenants. LEAF also offers free training and supplies to tenant Tree Care Teams so that they can provide essential care for the first few years after planting.
Since the launch of the program in 2018, 453 trees have been planted across 40 TCHC residences. This fall an additional 40 trees will be planted across 8 locations. In addition, 1,550 native shrubs, such as St. John’s wort, bush honeysuckle, common snowberry and lowbush blueberry, have been distributed to tenants. Shrubs make up a significant part of our urban forest and help transform TCHC properties into vibrant green spaces while fostering a sense of community stewardship among tenants.
The program is supported by the City of Toronto, both through an Urban Forestry Community Planting and Stewardship Grant and through the planting of the trees themselves. This year, a matching grant was secured from Green Communities Canada through their Living Cities Canada Fund.
Urban trees play a vital role in human health. Their ability to clean our air, reduce summer temperatures, enhance biodiversity, and provide tenants with beautiful greenspaces make urban trees powerful tools in building community and enhancing quality of life.
For more information on the TCHC Planting and Stewardship Program, please visit https://www.yourleaf.org/tch-planting-and-stewardship-program.
QUOTES:
The goal of this program is to empower tenants with the knowledge and skills to take an active role in the greening of their communities. We are inspired by the passion that they bring to their tree stewardship and appreciate the support of TCHC, the City of Toronto and Green Communities Canada to accomplish this important work.
- Brian Millward, Community Programs Manager at LEAF
Research has shown that neighbourhoods with lower household incomes and larger racialized communities tend to have less tree cover. Trees are essential to the health and well-being of communities, and this program addresses that imbalance by giving TCHC tenants the environmental, health and wellness benefits of an urban forest space in their community.
- Sean Baird, President and CEO, Toronto Community Housing
The incredible work being done in this program by LEAF and Toronto Community Housing underscores how community-led initiatives play an important part in greening communities, while contributing to the City’s 40% tree canopy cover target. We are thrilled to continue supporting this collaborative partnership, and celebrate these achievements.
- Jennifer Gibb, Supervisor of Strategic Tree Planting Projects at the City of Toronto
We are thrilled to support LEAF in their 2024 tree planting and stewardship efforts through the Living Cities Canada Fund. Each tree planted gets us one step closer to Toronto’s 40% canopy coverage target by 2050. We are excited to watch these trees grow with the communities that they support.
- Jared Kolb, Interim Executive Director, Green Communities Canada
PARTNERS:
About Toronto Community Housing (TCHC): Toronto Community Housing (TCHC) is Canada's largest social housing provider. TCHC is owned by the City of Toronto and provides homes for nearly 60,000 low- and moderate-income households in 106 of the city’s 144 neighbourhoods. Their 2,100 buildings represent a $10-billion public asset. More information is available at torontohousing.ca.
About the City of Toronto’s Urban Forestry Branch: The City of Toronto's Urban Forestry Branch is home to one of the largest urban forestry programs in Canada. It is responsible for the management, growth and stewardship of Toronto's urban forest through maintenance, planting, protection and planning. Toronto's urban forest comprises more than 11.5 million trees and is valued at $7.04 billion.
About Green Communities Canada: Green Communities Canada has been leading a community-based climate action movement for more than 25 years, working together with our members and partners from across the country to advance transformative, equitable, and lasting change. As a national organization, our goal is to support and sustain grassroots action. We do this by acting as a network, funder, backbone, and accelerator. We have a solid track record of leading community-engaged green infrastructure programming through our Depave Paradise Initiative, National Mini Forest Program, and Living Cities Canada Fund.
About LEAF: LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests)is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the protection and improvement of the urban forest. Beginning in 1996, LEAF has been delivering successful planting and stewardship programs that engage citizens. LEAF envisions healthy, vibrant communities where everyone values and cares for the urban forest.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
City of Toronto
Green Communities Canada
Leif Einarson, Communications Manager
leinarson@greencommunitiescanada.org
Syeda Hasan, Communications Specialist
shasan@greencommunitiescanada.org
Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests (LEAF)
Justin Lewis, Marketing and Communications Lead
416-413-9244 | justin@yourleaf.org