Trees Across Toronto 2013

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We are introducing a brand new series of Photo Essays! Have a look at amazing Photo Sets all shot by talented photographers. Explore the vibe of the city, its hidden treasures, meet the Torontonians! This time, let's have a look at Toronto through the lens of Carlos Bolivar!

Plant a new tree and make Toronto greener!

 

Plant a New Tree for Trees Across Toronto

Trees Across Toronto is the city's native tree and shrub planting program that brings together volunteers who want to contribute to the environment and help reclaim some of the underdeveloped and "un-treed" lands. Toronto's signature environmentally friendly tree planting event takes place each year on the last Saturday in April, and we're thrilled that we also took part this year! It's amazing how many people participated in this project. Every year, more than 1,500 volunteers help plant over 2,000 young trees in Toronto's parks. This a strong statement about we Torontonians; we're proud to live in one of the cities with the highest number of parks and green areas, and we really care about our environment.

Trees can increase the value of your home

Trees are one of the most important parts of our natural environment that make life on Earth possible. Here are the facts. An acre of trees can store 2.6 tons of carbon annually, which is enough oxygen daily for 18 people. Trees make a nice visual contrast to the many buildings of the city and provide us with a green escape from the concrete jungle. They are natural habitats for birds, insects, and other essential wildlife, and trees help prevent soil erosion. As you might know already, trees can also increase the value of your home significantly. When planted on the south and west sides of a house, they can reduce air conditioning needs substantially. Evergreens planted on the north side of a house can act as windbreakers, lowering winter heating costs by up to 10 per cent.

There are many ways we can protect our ecosystem

Trees take many years to fully grow — but humans only take a few minutes to destroy a tree. We need to take care of our forests and make sure they thrive. While there are many initiatives to protect damaged forests around the world, we also need to start from our doorsteps and think about the environment we live in and what we can do to protect it. There are so many ways we can protect our ecosystems. Plant and protect trees in your own backyard, take care of the trees on your street, make a donation to tree planting programs, or participate in the annual spring planting program yourself!

We encourage everyone to help increase Toronto's tree canopy. This year's event, held on April 27, was open for volunteers of all ages, and Urban Forestry staff provided all the materials and tools needed together with refreshments for the busy bees. Hundreds of people grabbed some shovels and started digging. You could see many happy kids carrying buckets full of mulch. Nobody balked before the hard work, either! On the contrary, all we could see were smiling people enjoying a nice day out, working together for a good cause. See for yourself and sign up for next year's event!

If you don't feel like waiting until next spring to make a difference, there are many volunteer positions in Toronto's parks you can fill throughout the year. Here is the full list of the opportunities to get involved!
 

The sign showing the way to the event

Hundreds of volunteers came to Milliken Park for the annual planting event

A lot of kids helped the cause happily

  Milliken Park was full of people planting young trees

A time for a little break soaking in the afternoon sun

A new beginning!

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Meet the Photographer

 

Carlos Bolivar

Colombian photographer based in Toronto, started with analog Photography in 2003, then jumping to the digital wolrd in 2005. His photographic areas are mainly street, landscapes, portrait and beauty.