LEAF partnered with the City of Toronto, TrackDDB, Artscape, and the Toronto Transit Commission to raise awareness about the urban forest and what residents can do to help it grow. Our city’s trees clean our air, give us shade, offer privacy and provide habitat for wildlife. They improve our physical and mental health, and of course, they make our shared home a more beautiful place to live! As the phantom trees sprouted around the city, LEAF and the City of Toronto offered tips on how we can all work together to turn those dreams into reality.
The first shadow was installed on October 2 on the wall of the Parkdale Community Centre on Lansdowne Ave., just north of Queen St. W.
Four days later, another shadow popped up just outside of Artscape cultural hub Daniels Spectrum in Regent Park.
Two Toronto parks also got visits from our artist that day - more shadows fell across the ground at HTO and Roundhouse parks. Our twitter followers started to get in on the action, sharing their images and their enthusiasm for urban forest stewardship.
The final shadow of our campaign sprouted right on LEAF’s doorstep, spanning the walkway leading to the Artscape Wychwood Barns.
Each shadow served as a reminder of our shared responsibility to the urban forest. The City of Toronto aims to increase its valuable canopy cover to an ambitious 40% by 2050-2060, and will need the support of the public every step of the way.
The shadows of our imagined trees are fading from the city, but you can still help us bring their promise to life:
Plant
Have a tree planted in your front or backyard, around your apartment building or at your place of business through LEAF’s subsidized Backyard Tree Planting Program. You can also have a tree planted on the road allowance through the City of Toronto’s Get a Free Tree Program
Care
Urban trees need our help to thrive. LEAF and the City of Toronto support Adopt-a-Street-Tree and Adopt-a-Park-Tree programs to give new trees a fighting chance. You can also volunteer in other ways for both LEAF and the City of Toronto.
Give
Your donations make it possible for LEAF to deliver our planting, education and stewardship programs. Donate here
Together we can grow a greener Toronto!
Many thanks to our partners at the City of Toronto, TrackDDB, Artscape, and the Toronto Transit Commission for making this campaign a success, and to our talented volunteers David, Hilary and Kat for sharing their fantastic photos of the shadows with us!
Susan Rolfe is LEAF’s Marketing and Office Assistant.