Branching out We Envision a City That Is Healthier Because Every Citizen Cares for the Urban Forest

2009 annual report branching out We envision a city that is healthier because every citizen cares for the urban forest.

LEAF stewardship site at the Bathurst Subway Station. F J / LEA ARA H A © Kanchan M is branching out As an organization

LEAF has branched out in many different ways this past year. I would like to thank our passionate staff and board, funders, partner organizations, dedicated that champions the urban volunteers, the media and our program participants for making this happen. Each has demonstrated incredible commitment to protecting and enhancing urban forests in Toronto and across Ontario. forest our mission is to: We have collaborated with a number of supportive partners this year: Ontario Power Generation and the Toronto Transit Commission have helped us support our Tree Tender volunteers in creating urban forest demonstration gardens in diverse areas of Raise public awareness the city. The Ontario Power Authority and many local partners helped us launch our Cool Communities pilot project in Guelph/Kitchener/Waterloo area and community

groups from across Toronto joined us in leading Tree Tours throughout the year. © Kanchan MAHARAJ / LEAF Foster a sense of ownership

Through our role in co-founding the Green Infrastructure Ontario Coalition, we have taken a lead in advocating for the urban forest on a provincial level. The goal of the coalition is to increase provincial investment in leafy Engage diverse communities green infrastructure such as urban forests, green roofs, wetlands and natural areas. We also co-founded the Urban Forest Stewardship Network, an alliance of community-based organizations that are working together Provide educational tools and resources to strengthen urban forest efforts across the province.

On a local level, our Backyard Tree Planting Program expanded from Toronto and Markham into Richmond Hill Facilitate urban forest stewardship and Vaughan. Support from these municipalities and from York Region made the expansion possible. We gained public exposure through a transit shelter campaign, increased our reach through social media and held special events like the Leslieville Tree Festival and Annual Celebration. In addition, through the efforts of our amazing volunteers we attended over forty community events and farmers’ markets with our educational display.

We look forward to another year of working in collaboration with diverse partners to advance the urban forest F movement in Ontario. To all of you who have helped us along the way, our endless thanks. Let’s not stop here! VIS / LEA

Janet McKay ER

Executive Director orie G

Right: Vale of Avoca Tree Tour © T

2 LEAF | 2009 Annual Report 3 New trees and branching out shrubs added to Volunteers People learning the urban forest: actively engaged about urban forest by the numbers 1638 in urban forest through social media and projects: LEAF newsletter: 1157 3185

People introduced New People educated Number of to the urban forest municipalities about the urban households that Hours volunteered by Tree Tours: working with LEAF forest through People engaged in support of urban improved the on urban forest Tree Tender 815 in the urban forest forest initiatives: urban forest by initiatives: Trainings: through talks & planting a new 13 124 6467 tree or shrub: People made presentations: 534 aware about the 1604 urban forest through community outreach displays: 3215 Community members engaged with the urban forest through planting, outreach & education programs: 10,634

4 LEAF | 2009 Annual Report LEAF | 2009 Annual Report 5 building… …the LEAF community Our own internal community is growing …our place in our new community “Thanks for your help with too, with more hands-on volunteer involve- the ‘pull’ last week! Our ment. Volunteers have written newsletter Our first year in our new home, the eco-friendly Artscape event was a HUGE success, and blog articles, helped design the LEAF Wychwood Barns, has allowed us to settle into a neigh- and we couldn’t have done Learning Garden, researched information bourhood with true community spirit. Working in proximity it without you! Please pass for educational materials, and much more. to such inspirational groups as the STOP Community on our deep appreciation to They have also formed our new volunteer Food Centre and the other organizations and artists here your team. Toronto Zoo and committees: The LEAF Learning Garden at the Barns has already led to fruitful partnerships that participants spent a total of Committee, Newsletter Committee and will only continue to blossom. 260 hours and collected a the Volunteer Development Committee. total of 126 bags of Garlic …Toronto’s urban forest community Mustard. This equals more …a sense of community than 2 metric tonnes!” We have been fostering a stronger urban forest community In 2009 we led 17 Tree Tours in neighbour- Dave Ireland, Curator, by partnering with emerging urban forest groups such as hoods throughout Toronto, reaching 815 Not Far From the Tree and Growing for Green. Sharing Conservation Programs, Toronto Zoo people. Through these tours, we fostered a resources and best practices with newer organizations deeper sense of community by educating

means that we can all work more effectively for the benefit © Bryan GROULX / LEAF citizens in their own neigbourhoods about “I think this was an of the urban forest. the trees around them and the benefits excellent tour. It was a they provide. By partnering with and great opportunity to see profiling local organizations and their and identify trees, shrubs efforts, we raised awareness and interest and plants including some in their work. rarely seen in the Toronto area such as the dawn redwood with its deciduous “Can’t tell you how excited/honoured leaves! And having the I am to be able to help out LEAF. You gardener present was an people do such good work and everyone Courtesy of the Toronto Zoo added bonus. I just cannot From left: LEAF’s Robin Sutherland and Sarah Lamon join the I know who knows LEAF loves you too.” think of any improvements.” Toronto Zoo’s Dave Ireland and Dr. William Rapley, Councillor © Robin SUTHERLAND / LEAF Jacqueline Tanner (volunteer and Tree Tender) Raymond Cho and Alan Crook of the Biodiversity Education and Casa Loma Tree Tour Top: LEAF Learning Garden volunteers sticking Awareness Network (BEAN) in planting a tree for International Day participant it out in the rain. Bottom: Getting some help for Biological Diversity at the Toronto Zoo. planting a tree at the Leslieville Tree Festival.

6 LEAF | 2009 Annual Report LEAF | 2009 Annual Report 7 getting the word out

LEAF has branched out in many ways, and good news spreads fast! This year LEAF has used low- cost, high-impact social media avenues such as Facebook, Twitter and Youtube to maintain a more relevant and deeper connection with our existing community of volunteers, green groups, program participants and urban forest enthusiasts. The global nature of these tools has allowed us to create connections and share ideas and resources with groups from as far savingourtrees @LEAF_TO

abroad as New York City, California © Robin SUTHERLAND / LEAF and even Australia! Big thanks for the information about watering trees. So much Our traditional story sharing water! No wonder so many trees avenues have continued to spread around here are dying the word locally as well. Our – Tree Workers, a community tree Leslieville Tree Festival, Tree Tenders Cel- watch group from Sydney, Australia ebration and Annual Celebration brought together over 900 people to celebrate and learn about the urban forest. Media The main purpose of the event clearly coverage has included pieces with Rogers was … providing a convivial atmosphere TV, OMNI TV, CBC Radio and the National for everybody who is as passionate about Post. This year we were also fortunate to trees as the eight LEAF staff members obtain advertising space for our Backyard and seemingly countless army of Tree Planting Program in high-impact volunteers. The future of Toronto’s trees © Amanda GOMM / LEAF transit shelter locations throughout seemed in good hands. © Andrew CHIU / LEAF Clockwise from top left: MP Jack Layton and Councillor Paula Fletcher make their mark on the Tree of Hands at Toronto and York Region, thanks to the “LEAF Celebrates Toronto Trees” the Leslieville Tree Festival; LEAF’s Claudio Tata and Robin Sutherland show off transit shelter ad; Councillor Joe support of our funders. by Joshua Tusin, blogTO Mihevc and Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone are part of a captive audience at the Third Annual Celebration.

8 LEAF | 2009 Annual Report LEAF | 2009 Annual Report 9 extending our reach

This year we have branched out by “Thank you for your tree and this extending the reach of our programs program – it is a needed program.” into new communities in creative Lorraine, Markham, spring 2009 ways. September 2009 saw LEAF launch an exciting pilot project in Kitchener, Cambridge, “The staff was very knowledgeable Waterloo and Guelph. The Cool Communities and friendly. This is an excellent pro- Residential Shade Tree Planting Program, gram. Having the tree delivered and which built on the principles of the Backyard planted and at an affordable price… Tree Planting Program, allowed homeowners with the expertise … I would not use to receive a rebate on native trees and shrubs any other service and would highly when purchased through select nurseries. recommend this to anyone. Thanks.” Through this program, which ran over two Ian, Toronto, Spring 2009

consecutive weekends, 70 native trees and © Michelle BOURDEAU / LEAF © Andrew CHIU / LEAF shrubs were planted in these new communities. We look forward to the second run of the “The Tree Tenders course aroused project in spring of 2010. my curiosity about trees and plants in general. I can no longer just walk Our educational booths, run by a by a tree without really looking at, team of dedicated volunteers, visited and appreciating, it.” farmer’s markets across Toronto for Nada Alaica (Tree Tender Grad) the first time. We also had a presence at various community events throughout York Region. Our Tree Tenders program reached out to urban forest enthusiasts in Markham, and talks were presented throughout Vaughan Clockwise from top left: and Richmond Hill. We also joined up with The Cool Communities in-store display in Project CHIRP! for an exciting event at the Sheridan Nurseries Ltd., Kitchener; Robin

Royal Ontario Museum where we were able Sutherland hosts LEAF’s outreach table; / LEAF to educate the public about the urban Tree Tender graduate demonstrates proper planting technique to Toronto Hydro staff forest’s role in providing essential habitat for and LEAF volunteers, Earth Day 2010, Pine

migratory birds. Point Park, Etobicoke. © Amanda G omm

10 LEAF | 2009 Annual Report LEAF | 2009 Annual Report 11 leading the way LEAF has also co-founded the Green Infrastructure Ontario Coalition, made up of industry groups, This year LEAF has taken a leadership non-government organizations, academic role in moving urban forest issues into institutions, educators, citizens and others. the spotlight on a provincial level. The Coalition’s mission is to develop a With the support of the Ontario Power Genera- provincial vision and legislation to create tion, LEAF has spearheaded the Urban Forest green jobs, clean the air and water, Stewardship Network project. The goal of this conserve energy and increase access to ongoing project is to foster relationships and local, sustainably produced food within share ideas and expertise among different urban our urban areas through significant forest community organizations. The groups that investment in, and protection of, leafy LEAF has brought together include Hamilton

© Chris GOODERHAM / LEAF green infrastructure. Founding members ReLeaf, Peterborough Green-Up, Ottawa’s Urban Forest Stewardship Network mem- include LEAF, Evergreen, Green Roofs © Calvin KUO / LEAF Forests and Greenspace Advisory Committee, bers. Left to right back row: Brenda Doner for Healthy Cities, Landscape Ontario, (facilitator), Toni Ellis (Elora), Janet McKay Neighbourwoods on the Grand, and ReForest Ontario Parks Association and Toronto London. Through this collaboration we hope (Toronto), Lorraine Normington (Hamilton), Susan Barker (Ottawa), Sarah Lamon and Region Conservation. to provide a more coordinated approach to (Toronto), Chris Gooderham (Peterborough). urban forest stewardship. One outcome will be Front row: Cathy Dueck (Peterborough), “We’re excited about working in a website that will profile best practices in Julie Ryan (London), Amanda Gomm partnership with LEAF to ensure community-based urban forest stewardship. (Toronto), Katie Van Den Berg (London), Mark Sherman (Elora), Lynda Golletz (Elora). decision makers recognize the economic, social and environmental benefits of investing in leafy green infrastructure. This issue will follow green energy as the next big opportunity to set Ontario on a more sustainable path!” Steven Peck, Founder and President, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities

Top: LEAF’s Tree Tour in Toronto’s St. James Town neighbourhood highlighted the important role

mulch their newly planted tree in Riverdale Park. © Lisa SHARKEY / LEAF planting a Kentucky coffee tree in Riverdale Park.

12 LEAF | 2009 Annual Report LEAF | 2009 Annual Report 13 statement of financial position donors as at November 30, 2009

2009 2008 Rebecca Black Elementary Teachers Ann Murphy Jonathan Sasaki Of Toronto ASSETS Dianne Bradley Olivia Nugent Carl Vella Cash $ 24,626 $ 30,962 Sean Cosgrove David Harvey Michael de Pencier Glen Webster Short-term investments 153,900 150,000 Pam Diederichs Janet McKay Jode Roberts Karen Weisberg Grants receivable 79,825 17,393 Dr. Shahroze Merali Prepaid insurance 2,330 2,330 Andrea Dube Lorne Rothman Total $ 260,681 $ 200,685 LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 14,289 $ 16,732 Deferred revenue 108,500 68,166 in-kind contributors 122,789 84,898 Unrestricted net assets 137,892 115,787 10,000 Trees Guelph Urban Forest Friends Scenic Caves Nature Total $ 260,681 $ 200,685 Artscape Green$aver Adventures Alternatives Magazine Greentea Design Spacing Magazine STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND NET ASSETS Simon & Schuster FOR THE YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2009 Blue Mountain Lodge Green Teacher 2009 2008 Blue Oak Native Landscapes Havana Coffee Bar Steam Whistle Brewery Sultry Suds REVENUE Chocoland Janet Anderson Grants $ 375,274 $ 328,423 Chris Chopik Kanchan Maharaj, Susan Green Project revenue 113,951 138,349 City of Guelph, inhereye photography The Barton Hills Hotel and Spa Donations and fundraising 18,879 10,073 Healthy Landscapes Karen Whitehorn Toronto Corporate Video Interest 3,900 City of Kitchener Lorne Rothman Toronto International 512,004 476,845 Film Festival EXPENSES City of Vaughan Lorraine Johnson Direct project costs City of Waterloo Merchants of Green Coffee Toronto Region Conservation Human resources 335,385 256,103 Authority Clockwork Productions Mill St. Brewery Other 94,796 105,967 Town of Markham Rent 15,831 10,685 Coach House Books Mountain Equipment Coop Town of Richmond Hill Professional fees 11,277 5,730 Evergreen Ontario Natural Food Coop Administration 10,020 6,376 Trillium Ridge EvolutionGreen Ontario Power Generation IT systems development 9,487 19,210 Urban Tree Salvage Communications 5,322 5,406 Fertile Ground Outpost Magazine World Class Bakery Board and staff development 4,125 5,903 Insurance 2,853 2,842 Other 803 489,899 418,222

EXCESS OF REVENUE OVER EXPENSES FOR THE YEAR 22,105 58,623 Net assets, beginning of year 115,787 57,164 NET ASSETS, END OF YEAR $ 137,892 $ 115,787 A complete set of audited financial statements is available on request. Thank You! 14 LEAF | 2009 Annual Report LEAF | 2009 Annual Report 15 supporting partners staff and board of directors

Canadian TREE Fund MITACS Accelerate and Sustainability Network Centre for Social Innovation Ryerson University Toronto Atmospheric Fund City of Guelph Healthy Ontario Power Authority Toronto Community Foundation – Landscapes Ontario Power Generation Vital Ideas Community Go Green Fund Ontario Trillium Foundation Toronto Hydro Corporation Helen McRae Peacock Foundation Peter F. Drucker Foundation Toronto Transit Commission Live Green Toronto Sobey’s and Earth Day Canada – Town of Markham – Community Environment Fund Trees for Tomorrow Fund York Region project partners

Bain Co-operative Residents Green 13 Ottawa Forest and Greenspace Association Green Neighbours 21 Advisory Committee Black Creek Conservation Project Green Thumbs Growing Kids Peterborough Green Up Bloor and Borden Farmers Market Green Roofs for Healthy Cities ReForest London Brian Astl Royal City Nursery Grey Sauble Conservation © Terrie RUSSELL / LEAF Brock Road Nursery Growing for Green Riverdale Library From left: J. McKay, S. Grant, A. Gomm, E. Stevens, D. Harvey, K. Glowacz, S. Clarke, R. Sutherland, S. Lamon, C. Chopik, M. Bourdeau, L. McGinn, C. Greene, M. Mahadevan, A. Millward, M. Higginson, M. Alkema. Missing: T. Irvine, L. Johnson, BOLD Guelph Arboretum South Rosedale Rate Payers Association M. Smith, C. Tata, L. Storozinski. Casa Loma Hamilton ReLeaf Sheridan Nurseries Ltd Centre City for Ecology Heritage Toronto Sorauren Farmers Market 2009 Staff 2009 Board of Directors CitiesAlive! Jane’s Walk Taylor Massey Project Janet McKay Todd Irvine Stuart Grant Citizen Scientists Junction Residents Association The Stop Executive Director ISA Certified Arborist, Education President City of Toronto – Parks, Landscape Ontario and Outreach Coordinator Forestry and Recreation Toronto and Region Conservation Michael Alkema Chris Chopik Lawrence Park Ratepayers ISA Certified Arborist, Sarah Lamon Councillor Paula Fletcher Toronto Green Community Scott Clarke LIFE Institute Field Supervisor ISA Certified Arborist, Program County of Wellington Toronto Zoo Development Coordinator Lorraine Johnson Lost Rivers Michelle Bourdeau Doorsteps Community Centre Trees Ontario ISA Certified Arborist, Matt Smith Steven Joudrey Native Plant Source Secretary Dufferin Grove Park University of Toronto Geography Manager, Residential Planting Programs ISA Certified Arborist Farmers Market NANPS North American Native Department Katherine Glowacz Erin Stevens Andy Kenney Plant Society East Lynn Farmers Market Urban Forest Innovations Inc. Residential Planting Program Assistant Residential Planting Program Assistant Madhu Mahadevan Neighbourwoods on the Grand Evergreen Willowdale Northeast Amanda Gomm Laura Storozinski Lisa McGinn Not Far From the Tree Volunteer and Community Action ISA Certified Arborist Treasurer Friends of the Rouge Watershed Neighbourhood Association Ontario College of Art and Design Coordinator Robin Sutherland Andrew Millward Friends of Wells Hill Forest Woodbridge Village Farmers Ontario Parks Association Market Chris Greene Manager, Marketing and Community Olivia Nugent Grand River Conservation GIS Consultant Outreach Ontario Urban Forest Council Wychwood Park Residents Authority Matthew Higginson Claudio Tata Grand Valley Garden Centre YMCA Newcomer Youth Group Marketing Assistant Tree Tour Coordinator

16 LEAF | 2009 Annual Report LEAF | 2009 Annual Report 17 Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests

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