With support from the Government of Ontario, The Regional Municipality of York and the York Catholic District School Board, LEAF provided participating schools with in-class workshops earlier this year to teach students about the importance of the urban forest, its connection to Great Lakes water quality and the threat posed by EAB. Schools then took part in a contest, spreading the word about EAB and the importance of planting new trees. The goal was to see how many trees and shrubs they could get planted through LEAF’s subsidized Backyard Tree Planting Program!
Lauren from LEAF delivers an EAB workshop at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Elementary School.
With approximately 2.8 million ash trees across the Region, it is key that we all work together to replace those that have been or will be lost due to this invasive pest. Students did a fantastic job informing their families, friends, and neighbours about this important issue. And residents of York Region who participated in the Backyard Tree Planting Program during the contest received an additional $50 off trees and $5 off shrubs that they purchased!
Students from St. Padre Pio Catholic Elementary School in Vaughan were excited to receive their second place prize.
The schools that placed first, second and third in the contest won LEAF gift certificates that can be used to plant trees and shrubs in their schoolyards, which will enhance biodiversity and create more shade for students. LEAF staff visited these schools in mid-June to deliver the prizes to the excited students.
Our Lady of Hope students tied for third place in the contest.
The winning schools are:
First Place: Good Shepherd Catholic Elementary School (East Gwillimbury)
Second Place: St. Padre Pio Catholic Elementary School (Vaughan)
Third Place (tie): Holy Name Catholic Elementary School (King) and Our Lady of Hope (Richmond Hill)
Thanks to all of the schools who participated in our Youth EAB Ambassador Program! Altogether we planted 200 trees and 152 shrubs through this program. Your hard work has made a great impact on the health of the urban forest in your communities.
Melissa Williams is LEAF’s Program Manager.