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The TCHC Program
LEAF has been working with Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) and the City of Toronto since 2018 to engage communities in the planting and stewardship of native trees and shrubs on TCHC properties.
Trees and shrubs, which make up the urban forest, are cornerstones of liveable communities. They provide benefits and services such as shade and cooling, lower feelings of anxiety and stress, and improve our sense of community. Unfortunately, the urban forest and, by extension, its benefits are not equitably distributed across the city. Lower-income communities often have lower tree canopy cover compared to wealthier communities. In addition, many trees on TCHC properties have been severely affected by extreme weather events over the past decade and thousands of trees have been removed due to the emerald ash borer. Most remaining trees in these communities are limited to a handful of species, many of which are non-native such as Norway maple and Austrian pine.
Our program engages and supports tenants and staff in TCHC communities to improve the local tree canopy, providing tenants with the many benefits that trees offer. A central element of the program is the engagement of local tenants and site staff in planting locations, species selection and stewardship.
Here’s how the program works:
- Tenants and staff give feedback on planting locations, species selection.
- Interested tenants commit to stewarding their trees and shrubs.
- We provide training and tree care resources to ensure you have the skills to steward trees and shrubs that thrive.
Planting sites are identified in consultation with TCHC tenants and TCHC Facilities Management staff. The supply and installation of large caliper trees is provided by the City of Toronto. In 2024, we helped green 38 TCHC communities with almost 350 native trees and shrubs through the TCHC Planting and Stewardship Program.
Recognizing the benefits that trees bring to a neighbourhood, many TCHC communities have a desire for tree planting. We are honoured to have worked with 42 communities to plant over 430 new trees as part of this program.
At each site, we work with tenants and site staff to establish Tree Care Teams. The teams are made up of tenants whose stewardship ensure the trees thrive.
“I love the fact that everything is provided and also having someone check in on your tree is great... Tree planting is a great way to bring neighbors together in harmony " – Tree Care Team member
Each team receives specialized, hands-on training from LEAF about proper tree care along with resources to help them carry out their stewardship efforts with confidence. The main responsibilities of the teams include:
- regular watering
- keeping tree bases free from weeds
- mulching the trees when needed
We work with the Tree Care Teams to host fun and educational community events that celebrate the trees and the people that help care for them. "Nature is a big part of our community and is valued by the residents who live here and I think LEAF builds on this by educating those who live here about the nature we are surrounded by and how best to protect it. " – Tree Care Team member
Trees are not the only way that tenants can experience the benefits of the urban forest. Shrubs bridge the gap for communities which desire greening but may not have the space or desire for trees. That is why we offer native shrubs that can be planted in existing garden beds on TCHC properties. Since 2018, over 1,550 native shrubs have been planted by tenants at over 94 properties.
Program Partners
Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) is Canada's largest social housing provider. TCHC is owned by the City of Toronto and provides homes for nearly 41,000 low- and moderate-income households in 106 of the city’s 158 neighbourhoods. Their 1,347 buildings represent a $9-billion public asset.
The City of Toronto's Urban Forestry Branch provides the critical services needed to protect, maintain and enhance the urban forest. With funding for this project provided in part through a Urban Forestry Grant, the City of Toronto is investing in tree planting and stewardship on private land to help grow the urban forest. Additional support provided includes the supply and installation of large caliper trees.
In-Kind Support
Thank you to the following companies for providing mulch throughout the years!
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Interested in finding out more about this project? Want to learn all about the latest updates and news? Read through our media releases and blogs for more information on how we're working with TCHC communities to green and beautify their properties.
Read our media releases:
- October 8, 2024 - Tree Canopy Growing on TCHC Properties
- November 8, 2023 - LEAF Celebrates Innovative Tree Planting Program With Toronto Community Housing And Partners
- April 12, 2022 - Celebrating Five Years of Increasing Tree Canopy Through the TCHC Planting and Stewardship Initiative
- November 30, 2021 - LEAF Awarded TD Green Space Grant to Support TCHC Planting and Stewardship Initiative
- April 21, 2021 - Toronto Community Housing, the City of Toronto and partners celebrate Earth Week by offering free trees and shrubs to tenants
- November 4, 2019 - Toronto Community Housing and partners celebrate innovative tree planting initiative
- May 15, 2019 - Toronto Community Housing tree project: spring season celebration and tour
- November 16, 2018 - Toronto Community Housing Partners with Several Organizations to Expand Tree Canopy in Its Communities
Read our blogs:
- TCHC Superintendent Bonds With Tenants Through Tree Planting and Maintenance
- TCHC Tenant Encourages Others to Give Back to the Environment
- For Climate and Community: The Benefits of Planting and Stewardship with a TCHC Resident
- Stewarding the Earth, the Community and the Soul
- TCHC Tenant Cares For His Trees and Community
- Five Years of Planting Native Shrubs with LEAF and TCHC
- Inspiring TCH Tenant Shares Her Experience Working With LEAF
- TCH Tenant Committed to Greening His Community
- Young Urban Forest Leader Greens Her TCH Community
- Shrubbing It Up in the City!
- Growing Teams and Growing Trees at Toronto Community Housing Sites
- How Much Are Our Trees Worth?
- Meet the New Neighbours at Toronto Community Housing Properties!
- Trailblazing the Way for Equitable Tree Planting
- Greening Community Housing Properties Grows More than Trees
Supporting Partners
