The Longest Living Legacy: Trees for Life and the Highway of Heroes Trees Campaign
November, as you know, is the month of remembrance and reflection.
This November is extremely important to us as we plant the last tree on the Highway of Heroes and introduce our “Next Chapter”, Trees For Life, Trees For Heroes.
I am reminded of the line in John McCrae’s famous poem, In Flanders Fields, “To you, from failing hands, we throw the torch” and I wonder, “what IS that torch?” For me it is the effort that we make to remember Canadians who fell during war and those who served. I translate that into planting a living tribute to them all, Trees For Heroes.
Our campaign to reforest the Highway of Heroes is complete and we are thrilled. Without your support, this just would not have happened. Over the last 7 years, we have planted 2.5 million trees ON and near the Highway of Heroes on the 401. A tree for every Canadian lost at war and a tree for each who volunteered for military service.
We have also reached our goal of $10 million. Again, with thanks to you.
We have achieved more than an 85% success rate for our native tree plantings, a leading industry standard, (and why we are planting more trees than promised).
Trees for Life Tree Campaign Completion
On November 2, 2022 we planted our final tree to complete the Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign at Historic Fork York. We were pleased to be joined by the Right Honourable David Johnston and his wife Sharon, former Honorary Captain of the Royal Canadian Navy. Those featured in the photo Left to Right: Hon. David Piccini (Ontario Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks), Seamus O'Regan (Minister of Labour), Mark Cullen (Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign, Joe Salemi (Landscape Ontario), Tony DiGiovanni (Trees for Life Board).
The Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign was born out of genuine concern for climate change and inspired by the Canadians who gave the highway its name: those who serve in the Canadian Armed Forces, plus Silver Cross mothers, Family, and friends. For those 158 lost in the Afghan conflict and the more than 2 million others who served, we plant these trees as a permanent, living memorial to you.
The Next Chapter for us is an exciting, new challenge to dramatically increase the urban tree canopy across Canada and to honour our front-line workers and first responders who have bravely led us through the pandemic and who work tirelessly for our health and well-being. We call this program Trees For Heroes, a campaign of our national charity called Canadian Trees For Life.
Is there a Hero in your life that you wish to honour, thank, or remember? A healthcare worker, first responder, teacher, or member of our military? A loved one who suffered from COVID? Anyone that you wish to honour with a living tribute - a native tree planted in their honour.
I am personally committed to our new mission, with renewed zeal and enthusiasm, as are our volunteer and staff teams.
Will you join us? Does your “torch” include a tribute to all who have helped us through the COVID crisis? Will you take faith, as you did on the Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign, and support Trees For Life, Trees For Heroes? www.treesforlife.ca
I look forward to hearing from you,
Sincerely,
Mark Cullen
Board President and Volunteer Chair
Canadian Trees For Life www.treesforlife.ca
P.S. All donations to Trees for Life are matched by Natural Resources Canada, through the 2 Billion Trees Program and your donation is tax-deductible.