The Office of Sustainability, in partnership with Regenesis York and the Grounds team from the Facilities Services Department, hosted two community tree-planting events on York’s campuses.
On Monday, April 11, the first of two community tree-planting events was held at the Keele Campus. The second event was held on a bright and sunny Earth Day on Friday, April 22 at the Glendon Campus. Students, faculty, staff and partners from Regenesis York worked together to plant trees and create greener campuses.
The events were made possible through a generous donation from the City of Toronto. Staff members from the Grounds team laid out trees around Stong Pond at Keele Campus and along the trail behind Proctor Field House at Glendon Campus. While participant spaces were limited to ensure COVID-19 health and safety protocols, the events attracted more than 60 participants who together, planted well over 250 trees, a truly an impressive feat.
Community members at both tree-planting events took the time to enjoy the outdoors and connect with like-minded individuals looking to create positive change on York’s campuses. “It was wonderful seeing such a high turnout from the York community,” said Sustainability Program Director Nicole Arsenault. “The planting of trees can help to both restore the ecosystem and mitigate climate change. The activity can also have a positive impact on one’s physical and mental well-being.”
The tree-planting events on the Keele and Glendon campuses have become an annual occurrence in support of the University’s sustainability strategy and support York’s efforts to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Climate Action (SDG 13) and Life on Land (SDG 15). Each event also contributes to York’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality on or before 2049. The Office of Sustainability is creating more events for York’s community to help create a sustainable future.
If you would like to get involved in sustainability initiatives at York, visit the Office of Sustainability website.