The 419 trees planted last fall for the Communion Forest lie dormant as they await their first spring in the Diocese of Niagara. The sleeping mix of deciduous and coniferous beings are located in four parishes that were selected for planting after completing a tree inventory.
With financial support to the tune of $7,500 from the Anglican Foundation and matched by the diocese, Climate Justice Niagara was able to contract Green Venture from Hamilton and Neighbourwoods out of the University of Toronto, to assist with the implementation of the initiative over the course of 2023 and 2024.
Initially, 23 parishes completed the survey used for the selection process. Based on elements like water access and number of volunteers, 13 parishes ended up moving to the next step of training to complete a tree inventory on parish property. After two webinars during the winter, parish representatives were eager to gather in person at St. Paul’s, Hamilton, to learn about tree inventories from Dr. Danjiela Puric-Mladenovic from the University of Toronto, and Liz Enriquez and the Green Venture team.
After seven parishes conducted tree inventories over the summer, it became clear that more parishes needed to tend to existing trees rather than adding new ones to the mix. In the end, four parishes were chosen to move ahead to plant a variety of trees before the end of November.
The first to plant was St. Paul’s, an urban parish that determined a gap on the west side of the building. Jane Walker, the Climate Justice Facilitator for the parish, was thrilled with the outcome. “There are now four beautiful trees, an Alternating Leaf Dogwood and three Hop trees, lovingly planted, mulched, and watered today (it’s in my schedule to keep watering them) which will grow, create oxygen, and eventually provide a habitat for birds and insects plus shade. We’re so lucky.”
St. David’s, Welland, recognized they had a number of trees they needed to restore or cut down, but they also knew they had the perfect spot to plant a special tree for their 75th anniversary this year. Although their first request was turned down because it wasn’t a native tree, they were very happy to receive a Firestarter Black Gum, a large root ball, planted in a wire basket.
St. John’s, Nelson found they had room to plant 14 trees. With advice from Green Venture, they chose a mix of seedlings: Red Maples, Sugar Maples, Balsam Firs, and White Pines. The parish volunteers were backed up with extra help from The Rainbow Kings and Queens, a diocesan group supporting LGBTQ refugees from African countries with homophobic policies.
Even more of the RKQs headed out to St. Paul’s in Caledonia on November 12 to help plant the mini-forest, a mix of 400 trees planted in a 10-meter square. The forest is comprised of Black Maple, Red Maple, Sugar Maple, Smooth Serviceberry, Yellow Birch, Blue Beech, Bitternut Hickory, Shagbark Hickory, Alternate-leaf Dogwood, American Hazelnut, Honeysuckle Bush, American Beech, Butternut, Ironwood, White Pine, Black Cherry, Chokecherry, Northern Red Oak, Red Elderberry, Basswood, and Canadian Hemlock.
This winter, the diocese is pleased to have another placement student from Niagara College and the Environmental Management Assessment program. Bhavika Vhagjiani will be working with Deirdre Pike to put plans together for each parish regarding watering and other tree management activities to ensure the healthiest growing process.
Climate Justice Niagara is currently looking for other grant opportunities for tree planting in the communities within our diocese. If your parish is interested in planting for the Communion Forest initiative and would like to conduct a tree inventory this summer, please contact Deirdre Pike, Justice and Outreach Program Consultant, [email protected], or call 905-536-0171.
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