Trees in the
Annex
There are many reasons why the Annex is one of the most desirable places to live
in Toronto. But an important source of its charm is its trees. And their value
is more than just aesthetic. It is estimated that trees increase the market
value of homes by 18%, decrease utility bills by 8% and absorb carbon emissions
from automobiles and trucks. In addition, the unseen tree root systems stabilize
the water table. Please read the City of Toronto’s Urban Forest Report “Every
Tree Counts”
http://www.toronto.ca/trees/every_tree_counts.htm
TreesPlease
working group
The first ever community tree survey and planting program in Toronto was
conducted in 1994 by the Annex community group 'Grassroots Albany', led by
Amanda McConnell and the next survey was done 10 years later in 2004. Now the
TreesPlease
Working Group, under the auspices of the Annex Residents' Association (ARA), has
been formed to build on this great pioneering work and start a strategic review
of trees in the whole Annex community. The
TreesPlease
Working Group, chaired by ARA member Michael Low, will co-ordinate the
identification and documentation of trees by the knowledgeable students from the
Urban Forestry program at the University of Toronto, with the assistance of
Prof. Andrew Kenney.
Why is this
important?
It is clear the biodiversity and canopy of trees in the Annex has been depleted
over time. It is also very clear that trees add significant economic and
ecological advantages to our neighbourhood. While many trees in the Annex have
died due to their natural aging process, others have been brought down because
of neglect and disease.
Read more
about
TreesPlease
in the
May issue of
The
Annex
Gleaner.
We need YOU
to help!
The
process has begun with a group of dedicated volunteers forming the
TreesPlease
Working Group.
We generally meet once per month, but we really need help from others who
also have a passionate interest in preserving trees in the Annex.
Here is a list of TreesPlease Volunteer Activities:
· Fundraising (grant applications, donations, tax receipts, management of process liaise with Evergreen)
· Administration, bookkeeping, financial reporting, supplies, photocopying etc.
· Tree surveying (assisting Forestry students in collecting and inputting data)
· Volunteers (recruiting, maintaining database of volunteers)
· Media/Community Liaison/Education (letting residents know about our project)
· Photography and mapping
· Co-ordinate ordering, delivery and community assistance with planting of trees (and LEAF liaison) for property owners who wish to add trees.
· Report and letter writing (e.g. to ARA Board and for publication)
Please let us know if you would be willing to help either by volunteering some of your time in one of the above areas, or by making a financial donation. Click here for a donation form. Charitable tax receipts will be issued for amounts over $20.
Send an email with your contact information to ARATreesPlease@gmail.com and we will be delighted to send you more information.
Thank you for all that you do to help preserve our trees and protect the Annex natural environment.