(June 3, 2015, Toronto, ON - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE) Voting is now open for The Great Toronto Tree Hunt – a contest to find and share the greatest trees in our city! Between April 22 and May 31, 2015, entrants submitted their favourite Toronto trees into the contest. Torontonians are encouraged to help pick the finalists in each of the contest’s five categories by voting for up to 20 of their favourite nominations at www.yourleaf.org/treehunt .
The contest is run by LEAF, in partnership with lead sponsor TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF), along with Ontario Power Generation, and the City of Toronto. Toronto is home to over 10 million trees of various shapes, species, and sizes. Many have led fascinating lives and hold special places in our hearts. While the trees can’t share their stories, residents of Toronto can – and did!
“I am impressed by the quality and range of entries from across Toronto, and I enjoyed reading the personal stories associated with each tree," said Mary Desjardins, Executive Director, TD FEF. "This contest has been a great way to celebrate the significance of our urban trees."
From G. Ross Lord Park down to Ward’s Island, Albion and Kipling over to the Rouge Valley, nearly 400 trees across Toronto were nominated by individuals, organizations and schools. Some of the most-nominated species of trees across the city include oaks, dawn redwoods, willows and cherries in blossom.
“The Great Toronto Tree Hunt is a wonderful way to recognize the important role trees play in the health and vibrancy of our communities,” says Ted Gruetzner, Vice President Corporate Relations and Communications at OPG. “Judging by the quantity and quality of entries, it appears the residents of Toronto agree.”
Trees were nominated in five categories: beauty, uniqueness, survivor, size, and heritage potential. Public voting runs June 1 – 15, 2015 and will help determine the short list of finalists. LEAF will determine a short list in each category (which will automatically include the top five entries that win the most public votes in each category) and provide those to a panel of judges to pick one top winner in each category. The winner in each category will be announced at an awards ceremony on Wednesday June 24, 2015 at the City of Toronto Archives. Each winner will be awarded a $250 cash prize.
“This contest is a celebration of the beauty and diversity of Toronto's urban forest. I encourage all Torontonians to show their appreciation for the countless benefits trees provide by voting for their favourite trees,” said Jason Doyle, Director of Urban Forestry at the City of Toronto.
For full contest rules and details, visit yourleaf.org/treehunt.
Interviews available upon request.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Janet McKay
Executive Director, LEAF
416-413-9244 x17 (work)
janet[at]yourleaf.org
LEAF is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the protection and improvement of the urban forest. We engage citizens in urban forest stewardship through planting, education and training.