Attention: Community Calendar, Event Listing and News Editors

The Hon. Donna Cansfield, MPP -Lakeshore , Councillor Peter Milczyn and local residents help green community space

(Etobicoke April 14, 2008) Join the Hon. Donna Cansfield, Minister of Natural Resources, MPP Etobicoke- Lakeshore Laurel Broten, City Councillor Peter Milczyn and local residents on Saturday, April 19 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Etobicoke’s Tom Riley Park for an informative workshop and hands-on tree planting activity.

Hosted by the South Mimico Environmental Action Group, and Region Conservation (TRCA), City of Toronto and Trees , this event will contribute to Ontario’s goal to plant 50 million trees by 2020, a commitment made by Premier McGuinty and part of the United Nations Billion Tree Campaign. Trees Ontario will be donating trees and running the workshops.

The goal of this community event is to plant more trees, promote the importance of the urban forest and restore the health of the Mimico Creek watershed. Attendees will learn about the importance of trees, tree planting techniques and then take part in several planting and watershed restoration activities.

WHAT: Free Tree Planting Workshop and Community Planting Event

WHEN: Saturday, April 19 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

AGENDA: 10 a.m. – Tree Planting Workshop 11 a.m. – Repeat of Tree Planting Workshop (Workshop #1 attendees begin planting) 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. – Tree Planting Ceremony with Minister Cansfield MPP Laurel Broten and Councillor Peter Milczyn Tree planting activity continues

WHERE: Tom Riley Park (south east corner of Dundas St. W and Islington Ave) Parking is available at entrance east of Islington Ave, south of Dundas St. W. Access the park by walking north on Islington Ave from the Islington TTC subway station (see map attached).

WHO: The Hon. Donna Cansfield, MPP Etobicoke-Lakeshore Laurel Broten, Councillor Peter Milczyn, South Mimico Environmental Action Group, TRCA, Trees Ontario, City of Toronto and local community residents.

All are welcome to attend. Equipment and refreshments will be provided.

For more event information, call the City of Toronto at 416-392-LEAF (5323) or visit the website at: http://www.toronto.ca/greentoronto/ . -30- Media Contacts

Lisa Hastings-Beck Elissa Schmidt Manager, Marketing and Communications Manager of Communications Toronto and Region Conservation Trees Ontario 416.661.6600 ext. 5632 416.646.1193 or 416.301.0539 (cell)

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The South Mimico Environmental Action Group is focused on implementing the Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds management strategy at the local level, providing a forum for public input and helping Toronto and Region Conservation to determine the specific needs and actions required for the restoration of the South Mimico Community Action Area. Specifically, this group is focused on terrestrial and aquatic habitat restoration and water quality improvement in the lower region of Mimico Creek through research, advocacy, annual community clean up events and local plantings in parks and schools.

Since its formation in 1957, Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) has prepared and delivered programs for the management of the renewable natural resources within its watersheds. Toronto and Region Conservation provides: protection, enhancement and regeneration of natural resources on a watershed basis, sound environmental information and advice to promote good land management practices, community action on environmental projects, conservation education and heritage programs through our outreach education programs. Their mission is to work with their partners to ensure that The Living City ™ is built upon a natural foundation of healthy rivers and shorelines, green space and biodiversity, and sustainable communities. The quality of life on Earth is being determined in the rapidly expanding city regions. Toronto and Region Conservation’s vision is for a new kind of community —The Living City —where human settlement can flourish forever as part of nature's beauty and diversity.

Trees Ontario , working with its partners, is the largest, not-for-profit tree planting agency in North America and is committed to the re-greening of Ontario through tree planting efforts. The goal of the organization is to restore Ontario’s tree planting capacity, especially throughout southern Ontario on private lands, by providing funding and planning support for its tree planting partners - local Conservation Authorities, stewardship councils, municipal governments and community volunteer groups.

Last spring Trees Ontario, with its partners, planted nearly 3 million trees. Its goal is to increase tree planting to 10 million trees every year by 2015 (www.treesontario.on.ca).

The City of Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. It is the economic engine of Canada and one of the greenest and most creative cities in North America. In the past three years, Toronto has won more than 70 awards for quality, innovation and efficiency in delivering public services. Toronto's government is dedicated to prosperity, opportunity and liveability for all its residents.

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