Though the sun was beating down on us and temperatures reached a staggering 33°C, LEAF staff were joined by dedicated LEAF volunteers and 56 community members to continue our efforts at Bridgeview Cordone Park. With a goal of naturalizing and restoring an overgrown and unused section of the park, we made quick work of planting and celebrated our success in the shade, where participants were encouraged to take home a native shrub (or two!) to plant in their own yard.
Our Volunteer and Stewardship Intern, Natalie Secen, providing event participants with a thorough planting demonstration.
These kids have it made in the shade while loading up on mulch to spread around their newly planted tree!
Did you miss out on the planting event but still want to get involved? You can still help grow and protect our natural spaces by maintaining trees on your property. The health and maintenance of trees is very important for our ecosystem. If you’re not sure where to start, the Town of Richmond Hill offers a number of helpful resources about tree maintenance on their website. The Town also offers a Healthy Yards Program which provides citizens with information and materials to help take care of their lawn, trees and garden and help improve the natural environment.
Teamwork makes the dream work!
Additionally, there’s our Backyard Tree Planting Program which provides residents with trees at a subsidized price. Trees range from 5' to 8' and costs range from $150 to $220. The cost of the tree includes a site consultation with a tree specialist, one tree, and full planting service. Or if you want to get your hands dirty, you can choose to go through the Do-It-Yourself program and plant the tree yourself! And remember no act of kindness towards our natural environment is too small.
Erica Hazlett is LEAF’s Outreach and Education Intern.
Photographs by Erica Hazlett and Anthony Polimeni.
These planting events are supported by Town of Richmond Hill, The Regional Municipality of York, TD Friends of the Environment Fund and the Government of Ontario.
The Backyard Tree Planting Program is supported by The Regional Municipality of York.