Join community events during National Forest Week!
Do you know why trees are so important? Well, they contribute to our overall quality of life by producing oxygen, improving mental and physical health, and providing shelter for animals and food for humans. Trees also cool the air, save water, reduce noise pollution, capture stormwater runoff and beautify the community.
For these reasons and more, the City of Vaughan is working on initiatives to help enhance the city’s tree canopy. For example, we are developing the City’s first-ever Urban Forest Management Plan, implementing the Green Guardians community program, leading planting events through the Thornhill Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Program, and recognizing National Forest Week!
National Forest Week is celebrated annually across the country and runs from Sunday, Sept. 17 to Saturday, Sept. 23 this year. During the week, the Canadian Institute of Forestry is raising awareness about Canada’s forest heritage and how to protect this valuable and renewable resource. The 2023 theme is Canada’s Forests: Supporting Biological Diversity.
Want to get involved and help us protect Vaughan’s trees? Join one of our upcoming National Forest Week events:
Vellore Woodlot Community Cleanup
Date: Friday, Sept. 22
Time: Drop in any time from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Location: Vellore Tract Woodlot, northwest entrance, 9541 Weston Rd.
Vaughan’s woodlots play an important role in providing biodiversity habitats, removing carbon from the air and offering trails to residents. A woodlot is a grouping of trees growing under natural forest conditions. However, these areas are often hindered by litter – which can be dangerous for pets and wildlife, and leach toxins into the soil. Take action against litter and join this community cleanup! Garbage bags and gloves will be provided.
This event is also part of the City’s Culture Days lineup and features fun blue bin activities for both kids and adults! Kids can colour environmental-themed stickers and decorate a bin. For the adults, the City is challenging you to throw out one of your bad environmental habits. Whether it’s not recycling, improper waste sorting or not composting – write it down and toss it into the bin.
Edible Food Forest Community Planting Event
Date: Saturday, Sept. 23
Time: 9 a.m. to noon
Location: Marita Payne Park, northwest of the pond, 302 Glen Shields Ave.
Help plant Vaughan’s first edible food forest! This forest will consist of apple and cherry trees, raspberry shrubs and more, creating a sustainable food source for residents in the area. Shovels will be provided, but please bring your own gardening gloves. A safety demo will be conducted before planting begins, so please arrive on time. If you are unable to attend but would like to be involved in maintaining and harvesting the food forest in the future, email environment@vaughan.ca.
Confederation Parkway Forest Community Cleanup
Date: Saturday, Sept. 23
Time: 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Location: Confederation Parkway Forest, southwest entrance, 399 Confederation Pkwy.
Litter is harmful to people, animals and the natural environment – and it is not pleasant to look at. Help beautify this forest by joining the community cleanup event! Garbage bags and gloves will be provided. This event is also part of the City’s Culture Days lineup and features a fun way to encourage sustainable habits for both kids and adults. Colour environmental-themed stickers, decorate a blue bin and get rid of a not-so-environmentally friendly habit by writing it down and tossing it away.
Learn more about these events on Vaughan’s environmental sustainability events webpage. Questions and comments can be emailed directly to the project team at environment@vaughan.ca.
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