I have always found that urban forestry interested me the most since it was what I felt most connected to as a city dweller, so naturally when seeking out volunteer opportunities in university I chose LEAF. Eventually after finishing school, I got the opportunity to work as the Education and Stewardship Co-ordinator, leading tours, facilitating Tree Tenders Training and outreach events, and even got my hands dirty in the fall helping plant for the Backyard Tree Planting Program. At the end of the year I decided to put my focus towards another passion of mine, rowing, because at the time I was not able to balance the two together.
I recently was given the opportunity to return to this hard-working team as the Program Assistant, helping out in all areas of the organization – outreach, events, the Backyard Tree Planting Program, and currently The Great Toronto Tree Hunt!
I grew up in Toronto, downtown in Brockton Village, and always said I’d never leave (I haven’t yet )! When I entered university I began to feel more and more drawn to the outdoors which led me to the environmental studies program at the University of Toronto (UofT). The summer after my first year, on a whim, I applied for an “apprenticeship” on an organic farm in rural Quebec, near Mont-Tremblant. I was determined to get some hands-on experience outdoors, acquire invaluable life skills of farming, and learn more about where our food comes from. “But you never even help me in the garden, why would you want to work on a farm!” my mom exclaimed—but I had made up my mind and was going, I couldn’t be convinced otherwise. Three weeks later I was living in a small cottage, working 12-hour days out in the sun weeding, mulching, transplanting, watering, collecting chicken eggs, you name it. I found out after my stay that there were bets I wouldn’t last more than 2 weeks (being a city girl and all), but I made it through the whole season, until I had to head back to school.
I hadn’t considered Forestry as an option for my studies until that summer. The farmer taught me how to distinguish pines vs spruces from a distance. Spruces have pointier tree tops, while pines are more rounded with wispy branches.This was my first lesson in tree ID, very basic, but key in sparking my interest in learning more about trees. This made me want to specify in the broad field of environmental studies, and led me to enroll in forest conservation science at UofT. I’ve always loved puzzles, which is why I think I love tree identification so much, but it also opens your eyes to the world around you. After learning to identify even a handful of trees, it forever changes how you view your surroundings, whether it’s walking through Pakdale in Toronto or out on a trail in Algonquin.
Recently I was sharing information about The Great Toronto Tree Hunt in Guildwood, out in Scarborough. I had never been to the neighbourhood, but it was devastating to see how many trees they have lost due to the Emerald Ash Borer. Hundreds of stumps were strewn around boulevards and parks, and barren trees were strung through the skyline. After talking to some residents about their trees, I did have a glimpse of hope, as there were many ash trees treated by the city that were still alive. Although clearly under stress, these ash trees were much healthier than some of their counterparts who were on their last leg.
Working for LEAF has made me appreciate the value of a single tree. In university many courses focus on whole forests, for instance the effects from clear-cutting, invasive species, or edge-effects on forest wildlife. We don’t have the luxury of old growth forests in the city, and much of our canopy is fragmented, but one or two mature trees on a single property can create drastic effects on cooling your house, providing privacy, and beautifying our city streets, something I learned while working at LEAF.
When I’m not in the office or out and about for LEAF, I’m at my second home, Hanlan Boat Club. I’m no longer out rowing much myself, but I’m lucky to spend my time coaching hard-working and passionate young athletes. Our club is situated in the Portlands, by Tommy Thompson Park. Being down on the water I can escape the rush of the city and appreciate Toronto’s beautiful waterfront, which I feel is often forgotten.
I love sharing and teaching my knowledge, and continuously learning, and I get to do that every day with LEAF. Dedication, commitment, and a strong community are essential for success in anything that you decide to pursue in life. These are core principles that I engrain in my rowing program to my athletes, and these are clearly underlying values at LEAF that drive the organization to success, and I’m happy to be part of this team again!