Some of our favorite low-tech climate warriors are trees and plants. They spend their days not only looking and smelling fantastic, they inhale carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen (not exactly how photosynthesis works, but close). They create shade, improve air quality, help cool cities, feed our bellies and nurture our souls (laying it on as thick as mulch, but I really love gardens!).

With that, we have two fantastic opportunities for TeamUHN to help our gardens and natural spaces thrive:

  1. Planting Day at the Indigenous Healing Garden, May 27
  2. Tree Planting and Nature Restoration, May 28

Scroll for details on how to join (not at UHN? check out your local community garden).

1. Planting Day at the Indigenous Healing Garden

From 2021 – first year of the Indigenous Healing Garden

The Michener Gitigan, the Indigenous Healing Garden now in its second year, is having a planting day and would love your help! If you have an hour to spare between 10 am – 3 pm next Friday, let us know ASAP to secure a spot (and at least by Thursday).

WHEN: Friday May 27th

TIME: 10 – 3 pm, for 1 hour or more if you can

  • Let us know which hour(s) you could do between 10 AM – 3 PM so we can schedule
  • We’ll keep it to between 6-8 volunteers/hour, the safety/fun sweet spot

RSVP: email green@uhn.ca with preferred hour(s) by Thursday, May 26.

DRESS/BRING: Dress for the weather and bring water!

  • Not mandatory, but recommended:
    • Gardening gloves (or any gloves you have on hand)
    • Long pants and socks
    • Closed toe shoes
    • Hat
    • Sunscreen (especially if you volunteer in the afternoon)

The crew at Miinikaan, an Indigenous-owned landscaping team, will direct us so you don’t need to be the greenest of thumbs. For more about the Gitigan, read here.

Tree Planting and Nature Restoration

We also have a few spaces available the next day for our tree-planting and restoration event via Partners in Project Green. This event is a first for UHN, and should be fantastic!

When: Saturday May 28

Time: 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM (3.5-4 hours)

Where: Mississauga (Timberlea Drive)

RSVP: email green@uhn.ca by Thursday, May 26.

The day will include (rough schedule):

  • 9:30 – 10: intros, registration
  • 10 – 12: Safety talk, planting demo, tree planting
  • 12 – 12:30: break
  • 12:30 – 1:30 Invasive species removal and clean up

DRESS/BRING:

  • Wear a green shirt (if you have one).
  • Dress for the weather (e.g. rainjacket if needed)
  • Long pants and socks
  • Closed toe shoes
  • Hat
  • Reusable water bottle
  • snacks
  • Sunscreen
  • Not mandatory, but recommended:
    • Gardening gloves (or any gloves you have on hand)

Thanks so much to our friends at Partners in Project Green (yes, the ones that run the Materials Exchange Program) for bringing us this event.

Have a look at some photos from the event!

UHN’s Tree Planting Green Team after a hard day’s work!

Be well and dig deep.