The Rotary Ecosystem Education Program

The Toronto Leaside Rotary Club is part of the Rotary Ecosystem Education Program. The program began in 1991 with a tree planting at E.T. Seton Park, next to the wetlands at the Ontario Science Centre. The program brings children from local schools to sites in and around the Don Valley to plant trees, shrubs and wildflowers on a site adopted by the club. Most sites are owned by the City of Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation Department and take several years of planting to be completed.

On Wednesday May 15, 2019, the Toronto Leaside Rotary Club has organized a tree planting event with six schools in Leaside and Thorncliffe. Approx. 250 students will be involved in the tree planting at the Moccasin Trail Park on the day. The students will be assisted by the staff at Urban Forest Associates (UFA) led by Stephen Smith. ISA Certified Arborist, Urban Forester.

The first group of students to arrive at the park will be Leaside High School. Their Grade 9/10 class led by Robert Cooper will be taught proper tree planting techniques by the staff of UFA. These students will assist the other students (mostly Grade 5) in the planting of trees in areas designated. The schools are: Leaside High, Rolph Road, Thorncliffe Park Public, Northlea Public Maurice Cody and Eglinton. The students will also take part in nature walks led by Robert Barnett, Toronto Leaside Rotary cClub member.