Each year in the fall, TD partners with local non-profits across North America to help plant trees and shrubs in green spaces as part of TD Tree Days. In partnership with TD and as part of TD Tree Days, FCF is excited to host a planting at our NCC Greenbelt P16 site (a.k.a. “Capital Golf”).
Where to meet:
Volunteers will meet for check-in at NCC Greenbelt Parking Lot #16, located at 3798 Bank Street. Following check-in, FCF staff will direct volunteers toward the planting location. Bilingual way-finding signage will also be erected for the duration of the event to direct participants to the planting activity.
What to expect:
TD Tree Days events are hosted by local not-for-profits, municipalities, and Indigenous groups that specialize in environmental stewardship. They provide the planting stock and prepare the site.
When you arrive on site, you will check-in with event staff and receive your gardening gloves. The event itself will begin with a welcome from the event coordinators and a planting demonstration. Event duration times vary from approximately 1.5 – 3 hours, and volunteers should arrive 15 minutes prior to the start time to check-in.
Volunteers need to be prepared for physical activity including digging, lifting, and planting, and may be asked to do other planting activities such as mulching, securing mulch mats, placing tree guards, and watering. You will have access to drinking water at the event, and we recommend that you bring a refillable water bottle to reduce waste.
What to wear and bring:
- Appropriate clothing: Events take place rain or shine so be sure to dress for the weather. Layers provide flexibility in changing conditions and rain gear can help keep you dry in the event of rainy conditions. A hat and sunglasses might come in handy too!
- Sturdy footwear: Please wear solid closed-toe footwear. In general, hiking boots work well.
- Sunscreen & insect repellent: Consider bringing your choice of sunscreen and/or insect repellent to the event.
- Gardening gloves: Gardening gloves will be provided, but feel free to bring your own.
- Reusable water bottle: Stay hydrated! There will be drinkable water on site, but please consider bringing your own refillable water bottle.
- Snacks: We’ll have some snacks and refreshments available, but feel free to bring your own.
- Forms & paperwork: Minors who wish to count this activity as volunteer hours are required to bring their official volunteer form for the TD Site Leader to complete and sign.
Be prepared for wasps and ticks:
We’re planting in natural areas where wasps and ticks may be present so coming equipped with some understanding of how to stay safer around these bugs is ideal.
Wasps: To be prepared for any wasps on site, check out this information from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.
Ticks: It’s recommended that volunteers wear long-sleeved, light-coloured shirts and pants with pants tucked into socks at these events. Remember, light-coloured clothing makes ticks easier to spot. Information about ticks can be found in here on the Government of Canada Website.