RECENT EVENTS

Volunteer Orientation Session
Thursday November 15, 2007 6:00pm
Metro Hall, 55 John St, Toronto, ON
Room 310
If you're interested in getting involved with LEAF and helping Toronto' urban forest, don't miss this orientation event! Learn about our programs and opportunities to use your skills to help Toronto's trees. Registration required. Complete our on-line registration form

Bendale Tree Tour, Scarborugh
October 14, 2007 1:00 - 4:00pm
The Birkdale Community Centre, 1299 Ellesmere Road , Scarborough

Exploring an area that was once known as the village of Bendale – a name referring to the hills and valley that make up this part of Scarborough - the tour will take people through the beautiful Birkdale ravine framing the meandering Highland Creek and visit two of the city’s oldest residences. Participants will hear about the great flood of August 2005 and learn of local efforts to restore the banks of the creek with native plantings. We will stroll by historic oak and sugar maple trees, rare Carolinian trees such as the sweet gum and golden rain tree and see remnant orchards planted by Scarborough’s first European immigrants. Participants will also learn easy ways they can help the trees in their neighbourhood and reduce the chances of stormwater flooding. Pre-registration is not required but we would love it if you did! Meet in the parking lot of Birkdale Community Centre.

Talking Trees at Nuit Blanche
7pm Saturday September 29th to 7am Sunday September 30th

The Toronto Tree Tours will be at Nuit Blanche with Talking Trees, two interactive tree installations created in collaboration with community artist Leah Burns.

The Talking Trees installations explore the lives of two trees in the market – a Manitoba maple outside 13 Kensington Avenue and a silver maple beside 64 Oxford Street. One tells the story of an upstart seed that began growing in a crack in the concrete, being left to grow of its own volition, the other, a story of a seed planted and raised by humans in a nursery and brought to the city to be planted as a street tree. The stories are told from the perspective of the trees themselves, giving voices to the experiences of these often taken for granted living things with which we share our city. Nuit Blanche revelers will be drawn to the trees by the light emanating from handmade lanterns dangling in their canopies and the multilingual voices being projected from their branches. Onlookers will be invited to ask their own questions of the trees and to write fan mail to their favourite trees in the city.

Volunteer Orientation Session
Thursday September 6, 2007 6:30-8:00pm
Metro Hall, 55 John St, Toronto, ON
Room 301
If you're interested in getting involved with LEAF and helping Toronto' urban forest, don't miss this orientation event! Learn about our programs and opportunities to use your skills to help Toronto's trees. Registration required. Contact liz[a]leaftoronto.org or call 416-413-9244 to register.

Our Tree Tenders Training Session is Full!
Ten hours of outdoor and indoor arboriculture training offered over two evenings and one Saturday.
Check back to our events page in late winter for our spring course.

Parkdale Tree Tour
Wednesday August 22, 2007 7:00-8:30pm
Starting at Masaryk-Cowan Community Recreation Centre, 220 Cowan Ave, front entrance
Beginning in the beautiful and bountiful HOPE community garden, the tour will profile the efforts of Greenest City’s Youth Squad to grow organic food locally while strengthening community ties in their neighbourhood. We will also visit an historic pear tree likely planted by a farmer over 150 years ago, and giant century-old elms that inspired a local street name. Participants will learn easy ways to start a downtown vegetable garden and grow the urban forest in their own neighbourhoods.
Pre-registration is not required but we would love it if you did!

Green Roofs and Trees Tour
Saturday August 4, 2007 1:00 - 3:00 pm
starting at 401 Richmond St West in downtown Toronto.

Beginning and ending on rooftops and exploring the urban forest in-between, the tour will focus on the creation of green spaces where they were not an original design consideration. View the urban forest canopy from green roofs atop office buildings that were once factories. Learn about what types of vegetation thrive in challenging urban conditions. Visit street trees that have been adopted by local businesses and a giant vine believed to be the oldest living thing in the area. Hosted by LEAF, Toronto Public Space Committee and urbanspace Property Group.

Native Tree Tour and Kids Scavenger Hunt
Saturday July 14, 2007 10:30 -12:00 pm
at the Brickworks.

Join LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests) and Evergreen for some family fun. Take part in a nature scavenger hunt and preserve wildflowers and leaf specimens. Learn about tree identification, species diversity and the area’s natural ecology.

Wallace Emerson Walk Here Tree Tour
Sunday July 1st, 2007 1:00 -2:30 pm
Starting Point: Wallace Emerson Park, south of Dupont St and West of Dufferin St (meet at the tile wall on the West side of the Community Centre)

Join the Toronto Tree Tours and DIG IN (Dupont Improvement Group) for a tour of the Wallace Emerson neighbourhood as part of Canada Day festivities at Wallace Emerson Park. While the area is known for its significant lack of trees, it still has its hidden gems. The tour features stories about community art projects in the park, efforts of DIG IN to create a green corridor connecting parks throughout the neighbourhood and a visit to one of the most beautiful sycamore trees in the city. Learn how a once industrial area is attempting to grow its forest canopy and how you can do the same in your neighbourhood.
Tour leaders include arborist Todd Irvine of LEAF and Dyan Marie of the DIG IN.
For more information contact liz(at)leaftoronto.org or call 416-413-9244.

Native Plant Sale - Saturday June 16, 2007 , 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Dovercourt Park, 155 Bartlett Ave (2 blocks south of Dupont, one block east of Dufferin)
Part of the Dovercourt Tree Festival 2007
LEAF will hold a native plant sale and lead a Tree Tour as part of this larger community event which will include displays, stewardship workshops, speakers, music, art and children's activities.
FREE

Dovercourt Park Tree Tour - Saturday June 16, 2007, 2:00-3:30pm
Dovercourt Park, 155 Bartlett Ave (2 blocks south of Dupont, one block east of Dufferin)
Part of the Dovercourt Tree Festival 2007

Tour of the Lost Forests and Rivers of Deer Park
Saturday June 9, 2007 | 2 - 4 pm
Starting Point: St. Clair Subway Station, South Side of St. Clair Ave, East of Yonge St.
End Point: St. Clair West Subway Station.
Join the Toronto Tree Tours and Lost Rivers for a tour of the Deer Park neigbhourhood, which sits atop the old Lake Iroquois shore cliff, now known as Davenport Hill. We will trace fragments of lost rivers in the Mashquoteh watershed - some of which still flow - and we will explore the old oak trees of the neighbourhood, relics of the original forest that once covered the area prior to European settlement. As a special bonus the tour includes visits to a couple of beautiful private backyard gardens. Tour leaders include arborist Todd Irvine of LEAF, Helen Mills of Lost Rivers, and Andrew Roy of Green Gardeners. The route will follow residential streets with a short jaunt along a ravine path. The event marks the celebration of UN International Environment Day. For more information contact liz(at)leaftoronto.org

Native Plant Sale - Sunday June 3, 2007
11:00am-3:00pm
Dufferin Grove Park (Dufferin and Bloor St West)
Part of the Fresh Air Fair, a larger event hosted by the Clean Air Partnership. LEAF will host our “Ask the Arborist” display and will have a native plant sale. The event will engage children, youth, and families through displays, exhibits and live entertainment. This year, the focus will be on climate change. Interactive and educational exhibits and shows will draw attention to the connections between our everyday actions and climate change and air quality issues.
FREE

Native Plant Sale - Saturday June 9, 2007
11:30am - 1:00pm
Montgomery’s Inn
4709 Dundas St, Etobicoke (southwest corner of Dundas St and Islington Ave)
Part of Creating a Beautiful Garden the Natural Way
Garden Tour and Native Plant Sale
Guided bus tour of two private gardens from 9:30 – 11:15am hosted by South Mimico Stewardship Group and Toronto and Region Conservation. A small snack will be served. Following the tour, there will be presentations and displays at the Inn as well as a native plant sale hosted by LEAF.
Saturday June 9, 2007
Tour 9:30am – 11:15
Plant Sale open to public from 11:30am to 1:00pm
$10 per person for tour tickets. Call 416-661-6600, ext. 5740 to register for the tour.

Tour of the Lost Forests and Rivers of Deer Park
Saturday June 9, 2007 | 2 - 4 pm
Starting Point: St. Clair Subway Station, South Side of St. Clair Ave, East of Yonge St.
End Point: St. Clair West Subway Station.

Join the Toronto Tree Tours and Lost Rivers for a tour of the Deer Park neigbhourhood, which sits atop the old Lake Iroquois shore cliff, now known as Davenport Hill. We will trace fragments of lost rivers in the Mashquoteh watershed - some of which still flow - and we will explore the old oak trees of the neighbourhood, relics of the original forest that once covered the area prior to European settlement. As a special bonus the tour includes visits to a couple of beautiful private backyard gardens.

Tour leaders include arborist Todd Irvine of LEAF, Helen Mills of Lost Rivers, and Andrew Roy of Green Gardeners. The route will follow residential streets with a short jaunt along a ravine path. The event marks the celebration of UN International Environment Day. For more information contact liz(at)leaftoronto.org

Tree Planting - Saturday May 26, 2007
9:00am to 12:00noon
Eglinton Park Naturalization Site, north west slope of Eglinton Park (enter through the North Toronto Memorial Community Centre at 200 Eglinton Ave. West, a 5-7 minute walk from Eglinton Subway Station)

Are you looking for a way to make a difference in the community and in the city? Then come join us for a fun and energizing morning to tend to our naturalization site at Eglinton Park. We will be planting trees and weeding, mulching the naturalized area. No experience is necessary. Please wear sturdy shoes and bring your gloves. A joint LEAF/Toronto Green Community event.

Creating a Beautiful Garden the Natural Way
Workshop and Native Plant Sale
Hosted by Councillor Michael Thompson
Presented by LEAF and Toronto and Region Conservation
Experts will present on native plant gardening and natural tree care. Also included: a native plant sale, informational displays and draw for prizes.
Tuesday May 15, 2007
7:00 – 9:00pm
Birkdale Community Centre
1299 Ellesmere Rd, Scarborough
FREE but registration required. Call 416-661-6600, ext. 5741

Creating a Beautiful Garden the Natural Way
Workshop and Native Plant Sale
Presented by Toronto Region and Conservation, South Mimico Stewardship Group and LEAF
Presentations, native plant sale, displays, refreshments and draw for prizes
Saturday May 12, 2007
Workshop from 9:30 – 11:30am
Plant Sale open to public from 11:30am to 1:00pm
Montgomery’s Inn
4709 Dundas St, Etobicoke (southwest corner of Dundas St and Islington Ave)
FREE but registration required for the workshop. Call 416-661-6600, ext. 5740

Third Annual Leslieville Tree Festival and Native Plant Sale
Performers, displays, food, native plant sale, children’s activities and much more!
Hosted by LEAF, Councillor Paula Fletcher and Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation
Saturday May 12, 2007
12:00-4:00pm
Leslie Grove Park (corner of Queen and Jones), Toronto
FREE

Green Living Show
Toronto's first consumer show dedicated to all things green. Information… Innovation… Inspiration… everything you need to green up your life is right here, under one roof! The show will feature an “Urban Forest”, with displays and exhibits from many groups involved in urban forestry, including LEAF. Special appearances by Al Gore, Roberta Bondar and Margaret Atwood.
April 27 – 29, 2007
Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto
Visit www.greenlivingshow.ca for details

Phin Park Tree Tour
Phin Park
Near Danforth and Jones behind Eastern Commerce Collegiate
This guided walking tour of Phin park and the surrounding East Toronto neighbourhood was a great success. It was an opportunity to learn about the urban forest, visit stately old trees, and hear inspiring tales of revitalization efforts by local citizens. Stops along the included a giant Manitoba maple, a house that has recently been outfitted with solar panels, and the site of a lost ravine. LEAF’s certified arborist Todd Irvine and local expert Jeff Otto led the tour.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
12:00 – 2:00pm

LEAF Volunteer Orientation Session
Learn how you can help LEAF help Toronto's urban forest. Take part in special events, host LEAF's educational display or promote tree planting programs in your own neighbourhood. Come out and learn more!
Tuesday, April 10th
Metro Hall, Room 302
7:00pm to 8:30pm
FREE

Urban Design or Civic Design?
Toronto Free Gallery
660 Queen St. East (near Broadview), Toronto

Toronto Free Gallery and "1 plus 1 equals 3" invite you to join activist groups, artists, designers, architects and urban planners as they re-imagine how design in our city can change in order to foster a greener Toronto.
"Imagine small gardens on sidewalks. Imagine buying your fruits and vegetables from inner city farms. Imagine parking lots with trees where people can gather."

Thursday, March 15, 2007- Exhibition Opening starts at 7:00pm Films screening provided by Streets to Screens. Starts at 8:00pm

Saturday, March 24, 2007- Panel discussion starts at 1:00pm
Public Forum starts after the break at 3:00pm
Join the discussion with: Spacing Magazine* Toronto Public Space Committee (TPSC)* Evergreen Brickworks* Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests (LEAF)*

Design professionals: Martin Liefhebber (Breathe Architects)* James Brown (Brown & Storey Architects)* William Woodworth (Beacon to the Ancestors)*

Artists: Marlena Zuber* Amanda Rataj* Andrew Chiu* Todd Irvine* Michael Pereira* UpBag*
For information: www.1plus1equlas3.ca or
Contact: contact@1plus1equels3.ca

Black Creek Storytelling Parade
If storm water flows underground, can anybody hear?

On Thursday March 22nd from 10:30am-12:30am, as part of World Water Day festivities at York University, LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests), Toronto Public Space Committee, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, the Black Creek Project and Faculty of Environmental Studies graduate students Laura Reinsborough and Liz Forsberg invite you to become storm water as a participant in the Black Creek Storytelling Parade. Come and explore the aqueous relationship between York University and the Black Creek, the Black creek and its arboreal surroundings and hear stories that narrate the landscape's seldom told ecological and social histories. Enjoy homemade soup and gurgling conversation after the event. Meet at the Sticky Wicket (the big, orange metal scultpture) outside the North entrance of the Health, Nursing and Environmental Studies building at 10:30am wearing BLUE! For more info call Ryan at 416-413-9244.
FREE
For the York Keele Campus map visit: http://www.yorku.ca/yorkweb/maps/york2d/index.htm

Growing Healthy Trees – LEAF’s Backyard Tree Planting Program
Presentation by Todd Irvine
Tuesday March 13, 2007
7:30 – 9:00pm
Scarborough Village Community Centre
3600 Kingston Road (northeast corner of Markham and Kingston)
FREE

What Trees Give Back
How Urban Forests Fight Climate Change and Save Us Money
Co-hosted by LEAF and Ryerson University, Geography
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
7:00-9:00pm
Metro Hall, 55 John St, Toronto
Room 304

Our urban forests provide a multitude of benefits that both improve the environment and save money. Dr. David Nowak, esteemed scientist with the United States Forest Service, has done the research to prove it. His work has included the development of the Urban Forest Effects (UFORE) computer model which calculates the structure, environmental effects and values of urban forests.

Dr. Nowak presented the impacts of climate change on our cities and how the urban forest can help mitigate these threats.

Over the past decade Dr. Nowak has measured the benefits of trees on urban climate, air quality, water quality, energy use and ultraviolet radiation throughout North America. His results are staggering. Trees remove hundreds of tonnes of pollution from the air each year and save cities millions of dollars by reducing demand for energy and decreasing the need for new infrastructure.

Yet when it comes to actively promoting and caring for our urban forests, Canada lags far behind the United States. Significant government funding to support urban forestry exists at both federal and state levels in the United States. Here in Canada, the sole responsibility for urban forests lies with cash-strapped municipalities.

A modest investment today in urban forest planning, tree planting, and tree care will result in healthier cities and significant cost savings for decades to come. Dr Nowak will review the findings of his research and suggest ways to get urban forestry on the agenda at both the provincial and federal levels. He will also introduce practical tools which communities can use to quantify the structure, condition and effects of their urban forest.

Toronto Tree Tours - Community Arts Meeting
Monday February 26, 2007
6:00 - 8:00pm
Metro Hall, 55 John St., Toronto
Room 302
LEAF and the Toronto Public Space Committee held this community meeting aimed at recruiting creative volunteers to help with our new Toronto Tree Tours collaborative.

In May 2007, we will officially launch our Toronto Tree Tours web site. It will be a spiffy, innovative, fun, interactive community web-site, a tree-celebration for our town unlike anything else!

The site will be a community-driven scrapbook and discussion-board of trees. It will feature self-guided versions of tours that we have led in diverse neighbourhoods across Toronto. We would like to include the work of artists, and highlight the efforts of local activists and community residents in stewarding their community's environmental health. We need volunteers to help research and write content for the tours, photograph the stops on our walks and provide creative content for the web site. The site will have a heavy graphic feel and we will represent the work of the best local culture makers, making up a living database of Toronto's trees.

Allen Gardens: Midwinter Tree Dream

English with Somali-language translation
Sunday, February 11th, 2007, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Allen Gardens Conservatory , 19 Horticultural Ave
South side of Carlton Street between Jarvis and Sherbourne
Wheelchair accessible

Hosted by LEAF and the Toronto Public Space Committee. Led by Todd Irvine of LEAF and Chris Kennedy from City of Toronto's Parks, Forestry and Recreation.

A wonderful way to shake away the winter chills, you will not only experience one of Toronto's greenest indoor treasures but learn about tree identification and the pressing issues facing your urban forest. For the trees' work does not stop when they lose their leaves!

LEAF Annual Celebration and Networking Party
Wednesday, January 17th, 2007
Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St West, Toronto
7:30pm
The room was packed to capacity at 150 people for this celebration. A summary of LEAF's year was followed by Paul O’Hara’s presentation The Faithful Witness: The Journey of the White Pine in Southern Ontario. This beautiful, visual journey took us through time and space to tell the story of our changing landscape through the eyes of the ever-present, majestic white pine. (Visit www.blueoak.ca for more on Paul and his presentation). A night of casual networking was enjoyed after the presentations.

Wychwood Tree Festival
Sunday, October 1st
10:00am to 3:00pm
Wychwood Car Barns Park
Hosted by LEAF and EvolutionGreen.com, the Wychwood Tree Festival will be a community celebration of the new Green Arts Barn. Councillor Joe Mihevc will drop by to support the event.The day will be filled with fun activities including kid's arts and crafts, music, theatre, displays and local vendors, silent auction, native plant sale and guided tree walk through beautiful Wychwood. We hope you can join us!

Bain Coop Tree Tour
Saturday July 15th, 2:00 to 4:00pm
Walk the beautiful grounds of the Bain Coop and see majestic, old trees, new native plantings and award winning gardens. Led by Todd Irvine of LEAF. Suggested $5 donation. Meet in the South Oaks courtyard of the Bain Coop (east of Broadview, south of Danforth). Email todd@leaftoronto.org to register and get meeting place details.

Eglinton Flats Tree Tour
July 5th, 7:00 to 9:00pm
This guided walk, organized in partnership with the Mount Dennis Community Association, led participants through beautiful Eglinton Flats. Committed residents, already working to improve their neighbourhoods, received further information and ideas on how to preserve their urban forest.

Urban Forest Orientation Session
June 24th, 2:00 to 4:00pm
Toronto Public Library - Danforth and Coxwell Branch
This introduction to LEAF's programs and services gave participants ideas on how they can get involved in Toronto's urban forest scene. In partnership with the Toronto Public Library.

Planting and Caring for Native Trees and Shrubs
June 14th, 6:00 to 8:00pm
Eglinton Park Heritage Community Garden, behind the North Toronto Memorial Community Centre, 200 Eglinton Ave West
Todd Irvine led this hands-on evening of learning about planting and caring for native trees and shrubs. In partnership with the Toronto Green Community www.ntgc.ca

Native Plant Walk
June 11th, 2:00 to 4:00pm
The Brick Works 550 Bayview Ave, Toronto.
Todd Irvine, Certified Arborist and Communications and Outreach Coordinator for LEAF led this informative nature walk through the Don Valley Brick Works. Over 40 participants explored the magificent quarry garden and adjacent ravines. In partnership with Evergreen www.evergreen.ca

Natural Lawn, Yard and Tree Care
May 25th, 7:00 to 9:00pm
Church of the Holy Trinity, 85 Livingston Road, Scarborough. Over 25 people came out to hear speakers from LEAF and the Toronto Green Community present on chemical-free lawn and tree care. Hosted by Councillor David Soknacki.

Natural Lawn, Yard and Tree Care
May 31st, 7:00 to 9:00pm
Cedar Ridge Community Centre, 225 Confederation Dr, Scarborough. Over 35 people came out to hear speakers from LEAF and the Toronto Green Community present on chemical-free lawn and tree care. Hosted by Councillor David Soknacki.

Leslieville Tree Festival
May 13th, 12:00 - 4:00pm
Leslie Grove Park (corner of Queen St and Jones Ave)
Over 350 people came out to celebrate trees and youth at this year's Leslieville Tree Festival. The day included displays, music, art, vendors and kids activities! It was also the official opening of the new Youth Centre in Leslie Grove park. In partnership with Councillor Paula Fletcher and Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation.

Create a Beautiful Garden – the Natural Way! with Toronto and Region Conservation
May 10th, 7:00 to 9:00pm
Port Union Community Centre, 5450 Lawrence Ave. East, Scarborough.
This popular event was packed with keen gardeners interested in natural tree care and native plant gardening. Speakers, Todd Irvine of LEAF and Paul Heydon of Grow Wild, captivated this crowd of over 50 people. In addition to Toronto Region and Conservation, partners included CCRA and the City of Toronto. The event was hosted by Councillor Gay Cowbourne.

Lawn, Tree and Garden Workshop
April 5th, 6:30 to 9:00 pm
Scarborough Civic Centre, Rotunda, 150 Borough Dr., Scarborough
Councillor Glen DeBaeremaeker hosted this popular event which was attended by approximately 200 Scarborough residents. Katrina Miller from TEA and Todd Irvine from LEAF provided participants with practicial ideas and tips on chemical-free lawn, yard and tree care. Master Gardeners were also on-hand to answer questions.

Urban Forest Orientation Session
Saturday, January 28, 2:00 - 4:00pm
Toronto Reference Library, Beeton West Room, 789 Yonge St. (just North of Bloor St)
Over 40 people attended this afternoon of tree talk to find out what they could do to help trees in their own neighbourhood. Each participant received a copy of our brand new "Community Action Kit". To order your copy, contact us at 416-413-9244 or info@leaftoronto.org.