Springing Back to Life in the Fall

For our readers who are well-versed in tree planting, you’ll know that there are only two planting seasons in Canada: spring and fall. Planting in the summer runs the risk of newly planted trees baking in high heat and periods of drought and planting in the winter, well, many of us are frozen!

It’s no surprise then that fall can often be the busier of the two as the trees have even longer to establish their root systems before the inevitable high temperatures and low precipitation levels of summer. This fall was no exception.

Over 65,000 trees were planted across 13 projects in 3 provinces with our partners and the support of Trees for Life. What was perhaps the most exciting part was the roaring return of volunteer events – activity not seen since before the pandemic. There were 8 volunteer tree-planting events from September to early November, with the final two set for Friday, November 3rd, rain or shine.

In-person plantings are special for many reasons.

First, the events provide a great way to help us get trees in the ground. That’s a no-brainer. ANY activity that increases trees in a given community is a good thing. Period.

Events allow us to highlight the critical help we receive from many of our sponsors and supporters. They help our corporate partners address their environmental, social, and governance goals, receive some of the recognition they so deserve, and offer team-building opportunities for their staff, friends, and families.

These events help us to generate much-needed awareness. Whether it’s press coverage, activity on social media, or good old word-of-mouth, spreading the news about the need for trees in our communities and what our partners and Trees for Life are doing about it, is paramount to our success.

Perhaps most important is the bond-building, community engagement, and immersive aspect of the whole thing. No report, article, photo, or video, can replicate the feeling of digging in, getting dirty, meeting new people, and achieving together. These events create lifetime memories and a sense of pride. 

Whether it’s your “work family,” your biological family, or both, being part of something bigger than yourself feels good. At one outing, a small child proudly exclaimed to her family, “I love this job!”  This was a most powerful reminder of why we do the work we do – a healthier planet for future generations.

Another compelling element of these events unique to Trees for Life, is that we are planting for the planet AND in recognition of heroes. Often, volunteers plant beside the very heroes that the trees are meant to honour. Recent Trees for Health signature events in Huntsville, Ontario, and Edmonton, Alberta, are great examples of this and you can read more about them in this newsletter.

These plantings inspired fond memories of time spent building the Highway of Heroes Tree Tribute, which also brought together volunteers and honoured heroes.

And speaking of the Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign, Remembrance Week will soon be upon us. On November 11th, please take a moment to reflect on the importance of this day. Those who served in our military fought hard to protect our land, the least we can do is to protect what they sacrificed for.

As you consider your year-end donations, please think about Trees for Life. This is a reminder that all donations are instantly doubled up to $2 million. When we can combine your gift with contributions from our partners, industry discounts, and contributions from other funders, the impact of your donation may be magnified up to four times. This will enable Trees for Life to honour more heroes, and most importantly, plant more trees.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely, 

Mark Cullen & Mike Hurley

Mike Hurley
Executive Director, Canadian Trees For Life
www.treesforlife.ca  

Mark Cullen
Volunteer Board President, Canadian Trees For Life
www.treesforlife.ca