Trees Across Toronto Volunteers Help Grow the Urban Forest - Toronto, Canada

Trees Across Toronto Volunteers Help Grow the Urban Forest

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - April 30, 2011) - Councillor Norm Kelly (Ward 40 Scarborough Agincourt), Chair of the Parks and Environment Committee, together with Councillor Chin Lee (Ward 41 Scarborough-Rouge River), the local ward councillor, welcomed approximately 1,000 volunteers today to Milliken Park (5555 Steeles Ave. E) for the annual City of Toronto's tree and shrub planting event, Trees Across Toronto.

"Thank you for helping to improve our public green spaces," said Councillor Kelly. "The groves of young trees and shrubs planted today will grow up to become lush wooded areas that provide habitat for wildlife as well as shade and fresh air for future generations of Torontonians."

Hundreds of volunteers also gathered at Colonel Samuel Smith Park (3131 Lake Shore Blvd W.) and McCowan District Park (150 McCowan Rd.) to take part in the planting event. Between the three sites, 4,500 native species trees and shrubs were planted, making a significant contribution to Toronto's urban forest in a single day.

Parks, Forestry and Recreation's Urban Forestry staff selected a range of species for the plantings, with trees and shrubs chosen based on the soil, shade and other environmental conditions specific to each park, as well as the natural history of each area and the needs of wildlife. The aim of the program is to create self-sustaining native plant communities.