Also National Foresters Week

Also Global Day of Climate Action-Friday September 25

Today, Wednesday September 23, 2020 is National Tree Day in Canada. It falls on the Wednesday each year during Forester’s Week. The Govener-General will also deliver a speech from the Throne. One very good news story already leaked is that the Federal Government and Ontario government are providing financial supportof $500M to retrofit Oakville’s Ford plant to build 5 types of electric vehicles to be ready for sale in 2025. More information on this in next week’s blog.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/ford-oakville-electric-vehicles-1.5733943

According to the coordinating organization, Tree Canada, “National Tree Day serves as a celebration for all Canadians to appreciate the great benefits that trees provide us – clean air, wildlife habitat, reducing energy demand and connecting with nature. While in years past this was a time to come together and celebrate with community planting events, our current situation with COVID-19 makes this year very different. That doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate together though, while staying apart! The spirit of National Tree Day and all that trees bring to us is still worth celebrating.”

History of National Tree Day

On March 2, 2011 a private member’s motion to declare the Wednesday of National Forest Week, National Tree Day, received consent from the House of Commons. The motion was presented by Royal Galipeau, M.P., at the urging of Tree Canada.

Events for 2020

There are resource ideas available on the Tree Canada site for planning an event. Here are events taking place across the country that we found posted online:

Saanich, B.C. : Saanich Parks has 100 free trees to give away between 10 am and 1 pm as part of their “Nature Intelligence Campaign”. Tree pick up is by registration only and recipients are encouraged to send in a photo of themselves with their newly planted tree.

London, Ontario: As part of their “Reforest London” campaign and the “Million Tree Challenge“, between 9 am and 8 pm a limited number of trees will be available for free on a first come first serve basis, and there are many species of trees to choose from in 2-5 gallon pots. Delivery is available as well.

Port Coquitlan, BC, Mississauga Ontario and Boucherville Quebec: Tree Canada will commemorate National Tree Day by planting ceremonial trees with long-time partners Staples Business Advantage and Telus in these three cities across Canada, emphasizing that it takes many hands to grow better places to live. This will be from 9:30-11:00 am. Go to the Tree Canada site for more information.

E-Gifts: Consider marking the day by sending someone a National Tree Day e-card, for the cost of $20. The funds go to help the Nature Conservancy of Canada protect our country’s natural spaces and the species they sustain, for today, tomorrow and for generations to come.

National Forestry Week 100th Birthday

From Forests Ontario Newsletter “Tree Line” we find out there is a significant birthday to celebrate. “Help Us to Celebrate the 100th birthday of National Forest Week, Sept. 20-26. Healthy Forests, Healthy Future is the theme for the centennial year of National Forest Week. Starting Sunday, Forests Ontario joins their friends to remind all Canadians that healthy trees make healthy forests, healthy forests make healthy people, and healthy people make healthy communities.” Above is an image of the running tab of the Forest Ontario’s tree planting showing CO2 absorbed and oxygen produced. We find this encouraging. “With your donation to Forests Ontario, you help us to mitigate climate change, provide clean air, clean water, and safeguard valuable habitats. “ “What Do You Know About Forests and Trees? Test Your Smarts With Treevia It’s just about time to twig out with Treevia for National Forest Week. Show us you can’t be stumped as we test your knowledge of poplar culture, histree, and unbeleafable facts. Treevia begins Sep 24, 2020 at noon Eastern Time.”  The newsletter features 2 women working in the forestry field detailing their education and work opportunities, and you can read more on the topics below. https://www.forestsontario.ca/?mc_cid=16caf0b2d9&mc_eid=50f8af18a9

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Help Save Toronto’s Oldest Tree

Many people hold great affection for special trees in their lives for myriad reasons, including those shared so personally and eloquently in September 10th’s post by our guest blogger and friend Liane https://bit.ly/2FUWANw.

Expert gardeners and columnists, Mark and Ben Cullen make the case and invite others to contribute to the cause of helping to save Toronto’s oldest tree — a 250-year-old red oak (Quercus rubra) that stands in northwest Toronto — as a meaningful way to make a difference during this year’s National Tree Day.

In this Toronto Star article (September 19, 2020), they explain why “this magnificent tree is worth saving for a variety of reasons,” the fund-raising goal and project, conditional deal with the current owner to sell the property to the city, the city’s willingness to convert the site and care for the great oak if the fund-raising target is met by December 12, 2020, the Cullen family’s $100,000 commitment to the project, and the efforts of nine-year old Sophia Maiolo to raise over $2000 to-date to help preserve this special tree. Details on Mark and Ben Cullen’s case for preserving this uniuand how to donate may be found in the full article, https://bit.ly/35TOpMI. (Donations over $20 qualify for a tax receipt, and donors contributing $250+ will receive a red oak seedling.)

Friday September 25, 2020 A Global Day Of Climate Action

CNN posted this information: Several activist groups have designated this Friday as a day of global climate action. Across the world, people will be participating in strikes, school walkouts, acts of service and social media events to bring attention to dire climate change issues. Click on the blue link and find out what you can do to take action.

• GLOBAL CLIMATE STRIKE Fridays For Future Canada. The Global Climate Strike on Friday, September 25, 2020, is occurring at a critical moment in history for Canada: On September 23, 2020, Canada’s Governor-General will deliver a speech from the throne. The speech will lay out the government’s long-term plan to recover from the global pandemic. It will also provide an opportunity for a vote on whether the House has confidence in the government. A non-confidence vote could trigger an election at about the same time as the USA election. Start planning your event now so that your Parliamentarians and community know that COVID, the climate emergency, and systemic racism are all linked and the vast majority of us want Canada to #BuildBackBetter and a #JustRecoveryForAll.