Happy Summer, FCF Community!
As summer graces us with its warmth and vibrant energy, we’re delighted to reconnect with our wonderful community of tree enthusiasts! The past few months have been filled with exciting growth. From successful planting events to updates at our Base of Operations, there’s so much to celebrate. Let’s dive into the latest happenings and upcoming opportunities to make a difference together!
Partnering for a Greener Future
In April, we partnered with the National Capital Commission (NCC) to plant a tiny forest in Jacques-Cartier Park in celebration of the NCC’s 125th anniversary. Together, we planted 1,200 trees, shrubs, and forbs. We are thrilled to have been a part of this meaningful project and look forward to watching the tiny forest flourish!
Tree Canada: Partners in Planting Events
Throughout the Spring, FCF collaborated with several companies courtesy of Tree Canada’s Partners in Planting program, creating memorable and impactful tree planting events.
LCBO
In May, we planted 140 trees with LCBO’s team at the Aviation Parkway site. The group also engaged in vital tree care where the team had previously planted trees in the Fall of 2023. Special thanks to our partner the National Capital Commission (NCC) for working with us to provide access to the site and prepare it for the planting.
Accenture
Our collaboration with Accenture was another highlight of our season. Their enthusiastic team toured our Base of Operations, exploring our interactive walking path and learning about various forestry concepts and native biodiversity. Beyond planting over 40 trees, the Accenture team also assisted with watering and mulching, ensuring the young trees have the best chance at survival.
Aviva Canada
On June 12th, the Aviva Canada team planted trees and shrubs of cultural significance to Indigenous Peoples at FCF’s Base of Operations. This initiative enriches our environment while honouring Indigenous traditions and knowledge.
A willow tree arch was created leading to our future soil health living lab. Positioned in the lowest area of our Base, which floods for a significant portion of the spring, the basket willow trees will help absorb excess water, creating more usable space for other projects and demonstration plots.
We also incorporated a rock spiral into our interactive walking path, where Aviva Canada’s team planted culturally significant plant species (makwa-miskomin/bearberry and giizhik/white cedar). This spiral, located at our ‘Cedar Song’ stop, enhances the educational experience for visitors and highlights the importance of native plant species in traditional practices. We are humbled to integrate these elements into our work and look forward to continuing these initiatives in the future!
Celebrating Community and Conservation: TD Friends of the Environment Foundation Planting Event
On June 15th, we hosted a vibrant and successful community tree planting event, made possible by the generous sponsorship of the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. This day was a wonderful example of community spirit and environmental stewardship.
With the help of 40 dedicated volunteers, we planted 200 native trees at the Aviation Parkway site. The enthusiasm and hard work of our volunteers made this event truly special.
A special shoutout to Alex W., whose Father’s Day gift from his kids was to plant trees together. It’s always heartwarming for our FCF team to see families coming together to create a positive impact in our community.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us for this event and look forward to more plantings like these in the future!
Improvements at FCF’s Base of Operations
A heartfelt thank you to the Josette Robertson and Joan Johnston Family Foundation – Ottawa Community Foundation for their generous support of our Base of Operations improvements and helping us secure tree supply in advance for the creation of three new tiny forests to be planted with EnviroCentre this fall!
Boosting Nursery Operations
FCF installed a new drip irrigation system for our nursery, helping us boost our tree inventory and supply. This new system will ensure more efficient watering, and support the health and growth of our trees. This will ultimately improve the ability to have a continuous supply of trees for our planting initiatives across the city.
New Storage Shed
We also added a new shed at our Base of Operations thanks to funding received. This will provide essential storage space, enabling us to streamline our operations and better support our planting activities.
Nature in Focus
Growing Together: Student Involvement
In addition to the invaluable support from our dedicated volunteers, partners and funders this season, we extend a special thanks to the students from Norman Johnston Alternative School. Every week, these students have been actively involved in a wide range of activities at our Base of Operations.
They’ve been instrumental in tasks ranging from repotting our bare root tree shipments to planting vegetables in our salsa fiesta garden. Their efforts also included weeding our lawn conversion beds and tending to our garden beds behind the greenhouses. Their enthusiasm and hard work have greatly contributed to our efforts in maintaining and enhancing our operations, and we deeply appreciate their dedication. We look forward to watching these students continue to grow as environmental stewards!
Volunteer Hours for Students
We offer numerous opportunities for students to complete their volunteer hours. If you or someone you know needs to fulfill volunteer requirements, join us at our next event or email us at comms@foretcapitaleforest.ca for more information.
Upcoming Events
National Tree Day: September 28
Mark your calendars and stay tuned for details regarding our partnership with Tree Canada for a community planting event!
Base of Operations Tours
Every month, FCF hosts our Base of Operations Tour and Tree Care Day, offering volunteers the chance to learn more about our work and contribute to our mission. Mark your calendars for July 25th, August 15th, and September 13th, and be sure to book your visit ahead of time! For bookings or more details, please contact us at comms@foretcapitaleforest.ca.
Tree Care Events
Throughout the summer months, we will be hosting weekly tree care events at our various sites across Ottawa and Gatineau. Stay updated through our Events Calendar or sign up as a Volunteer to join our team!
Nature’s Gymnasium: Fall Planting Opportunity in the Mer Bleue Sector
Are you the type of person who is always up for a challenge? We’re searching for intrepid volunteers who are interested in helping us plant 1,000 trees as part of a large afforestation project in the Mer Bleue sector. This beautiful new site is more remote and rugged than our typical urban planting sites! The terrain is uneven and may be wet, with about a 1 km walk from the parking lot to the planting site. This opportunity is perfect for those with a bold and adventurous tree planting spirit! Volunteers who participate will be awarded a “Forest Ranger” badge of honour, as part of our future volunteer badging program.
Think you’re up for the challenge? Register here!
