Projects Funded in 2022

Annabella Aoshana, Green Venture, Canopy for Community.
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Brian Millward, LEAF, Young Urban Forest Leaders Program.
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Julie Hinton Walker, Professor Elwood Pricklethorn’s Activity Book: All About Urban Trees.
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Melissa Peters, Fifth Ground Entertainment Inc., Secrets of the Forest – Tree I.D. Web Series.

Jeanette Merrick, Kelowna Tree Protectors, K.T.P. Year of Celebration & Education.
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Judy Gibson, Long Branch Neighbourhood Association, Long Branch Grows to 40% Tree Green.

Projects Funded in 2021

Beverley Kalmakoff, Kelowna Tree Protectors, Significant Tree Identification Sign Project.
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Patricia Hanbidge, Orchid Horticulture, James Smith Cree Nation Orchard.
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Brian Millward, LEAF, Young Urban Forest Leaders Program.
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Giuliana Casimirri, Green Venture, Canopy for Community.
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Connie Tong, Digital Content Creator, Professor Elwood Pricklethorn Talks.

Projects Funded in 2020

Alex Martin, University of British Columbia, Determining the efficacy of Arboriculture Education on the ethical treatment of wildlife during tree care operations. This research project involves the distribution of a survey to arborists to shed light on how arboriculture certifications, education, and commercial company / municipal operations may affect the decision-making process. The goals of this research are to determine the efficacy of current industry programs and which sectors could be improved to advance the ethical treatment of wildlife in arboriculture, and ultimate aid in the creation of a ‘best management practices” document.

Erin MacDonald, LEAF, Young Urban Forest Leaders Program. The Young Urban Forest Leaders (YUFL) Program is a free training and mentorship program designed to provide experience for 20 youth (ages 18 – 29) from underrepresented and visible minority groups in the field of arboriculture, urban forestry and community engagement, with the intension of supporting participants on a potential path to a career in what has historically been a male and white dominated industry.
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Jasmin Leduc, Sentier Urbain, Forest Classes in Garden Circuit. This program facilitated by Sentier Urbain, a 25 year old, nonprofit group that works with various public and private community organizations is designed to help educate and sensitize youth to environmental issues and stewardship, by providing workshops and day camps, in low income areas of Montreal’s inner city neighbourhoods, that contribute to the re-naturalizing of abandoned and highly polluted lots with native trees and shrubs.

Janet Feddes-Calpa, The Society to Prevent Dutch Elm Disease Alberta, Targeted enhanced surveillance for early detection of Dutch Elm Disease. To date there is still no evidence of Dutch Elm Disease DED in the province of Alberta. This project will support DED surveillance expertise into several Alberta municipalities that have shown higher sustained numbers of DED vector bark beetles over the past 2 years and make early detection possible, which is a key element in the Province’s program in dealing with a possible infection.
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Dustin Bajer, Co Administrator, Edmonton Alberta, Alberta Tree Register: Raising the profile of significant trees. The goal of this project is to raise awareness to the importance of significant trees in Alberta through the creation of an extensive tree inventory, using an established tree database program called “Registree” The tree inventory will be a combination of data from two previous inventories and new submissions from program participants. Once completed the information will be made public through an accessible website, consistent with other websites in Manitoba and New Zealand which have used the “Registree” platform.
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Projects Funded in 2019

Garner Beckett, Conservation Halton Foundation, From the Ground Up. This project provides a hand-on and in-class educational opportunity for over 800 middle school students to learn what they can do to sustain and restore natural areas and forests in the Halton Region, through activities including removal of invasive trees and shrubs and planting of native trees and shrubs. 
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Guiliana Casimirri, Green Venture, Youth and Trees Growing Together. The goals of this project are 1. To engage students in climate change resiliency through learning the importance of trees as part of urban green infrastructure, 2. To facilitate hands on events for youth to engage with their urban forest through neighbourhood tree identification, stewardship planning, and tree planting, and 3. To expose students to the potential of pursuing Arboriculture as possible career choice. 
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Julie Hinton Walker, Toronto Publisher and Artist, True Tree Crimes. This project supports the publication of  “Professor Elwood Pricklethorn’s Colouring Book of True Tree Crimes: 10 Ways to Kill Urban Trees”. This ‘Knotty’ adult-content colouring book has been created to help educate and raise awareness for those living in urban neighbourhoods where tree planting and care is a part of homeownership and community landscaping. Formatted as a CSI-style crime report, the book is aimed at identifying questionable urban tree care practices and offering remedies and education, through fun-loving colourable illustrations by Jenny Duda and humorous text by Warren Hoselton. 
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Elias Wipf, Teacher, Decker School Orchard. This project supports a teacher and students for: researching fruit trees and wild root stock for grafting, planting fruit trees, pruning, and managing the orchard. The community will also be involved, and the orchard will be open for community members and other guests to walk through and enjoy fresh picked fruits in the future.

Projects Funded in 2018

Toni Ellis, Neighbourwoods on the Grand, A Local Cap and Trade Pilot to support a Local Urban Forest. The objective of this grant is to introduce a community-based carbon offset program that would use offset dollars to benefit the community’s urban forest.  The program would be a pilot project with a workable model that can scale up and be adopted by other municipalities across the province and beyond. The overall goals are to: Build a strong story for a healthy urban forest as one important tool to mitigate climate change; Develop a local carbon offset donation program that gives the public a way to help offset their carbon footprint; To generate funds invested to hire Certified Arborists to extend the life of important senior trees.
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Gail Terashita, Ben Nobleman Community Orchard, Toronto, Ben Nobleman Community Orchard Signage: “It Takes a Community.” The objective of this grant is to bring attention to the community resource that is Ben Nobleman Community Orchard: to teach the public about the work that is done to maintain it, how to go about accessing the fruit, and understanding the care that goes into maintaining the orchard.
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Janina Kowalski, University of Toronto, Fruitful Beginnings: Urban Food Forests Across Canada. The objective of this grant is to address the gap in Urban Food Forest (UFF) knowledge.  This project will ask: In Canadian cities, how do urban food forests impact communities, reflect diverse management and planning goals, and for whom are these landscapes being created? By examining different public urban food forests, case studies will allow close examination into three questions: 1) what is the function and diversity of UFF models and supporting organizations, 2) what are the ways that more-than-human relationships, such as wasps and bears, affect management of UFF, and 3) how does gender and other power dynamics shape the accessibility of UFF.

Guiliana Casimirri, Oakvillegreen Conservation Association: School Trees from Seed. The object of this project is to offer elementary school students in Oakville an opportunity 1. To engage in environmental stewardship through learning about and growing native trees from seed.2. To plant locally-grown native tree seedlings from local seed sources back into the community and, therefore, increase urban forest canopy and diversity.3. To test a student tree seedling growing program in schools, including learning resources (growing guides, presentations, and handouts), and develop schoolboard and community support and partnerships for future years’ implementation.
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Projects Funded in 2017

Andrew Millward, Ryerson University. The Citytrees Project.Objectives: to optimize and broaden the appeal of an existing open access web based interactive tree mapping tool, that will 1. Provide a platform for people and organizations wanting to learn about trees and tree care. 2. Increase public awareness to the value of trees. 3. Connect, private, public, government and professional institutions for better collaboration on urban forest enhancement and stewardship. 4. Provide a platform, an inventory data base and the creation of strategic tree maintenance and stewardship programs.

Janet McKay, LEAF (Local Appreciation for Trees).  Adopt-a-Street-Tree Program.Objectives: to extend the Adopt-a-tree program that was launched last year, in partnership with the City of Toronto, involving the training and establishment of a team of volunteers to provide basic tree maintenance for two neighbourhood communities in Toronto, along with trial  and demonstration plots for planting perennials in tree pits.

Toni Ellis, Elora Environmental Centre, Wellington County Citizen Pruners. Objectives: to work in partnership with the local municipal government as well as with ISA Certified Arborists to establish a team of 15 volunteer pruners to maintain existing and future trees planted in parks, trails and boulevards, in their designated area.  The logistics of this initiative follows a similar program funded by the Canadian TREE Fund back in 2011 involving citizen pruners in Thunder Bay ON.
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Julie Hinton Walker, Publisher and Artist from Toronto ON. The objective of this project is to raise awareness, at a school-age level, of the positive impact of trees and the importance their presence has in a healthful urban environment, with the creation of  2 age-appropriate activity books for elementary school students; the “Junior Arborist”, the “Senior Arborist”, and a placemat activity page for the “Kindergarten Arborist”. Through puzzles, word-finds, ‘fun-factoids’, ‘did-you-know’, and ‘log-on’ internet searches, we explore what trees do and the food, medicine, materials, and animal habitats they provide. The activity books and placemat compliment an existing workshop created by arborist Warren Hoselton (aka  Professor Elwood Pricklethorn).  The books are also designed so that they can be lead by a teacher without the benefit of a live P.E.P. presentation.

Projects Funded in 2016

Janet McKay, LEAF (Local Appreciation for Trees). Adopt-a-Street-Tree Program.Objectives: to fund the establishment of two new Adopt-a-street-tree projects, which includes soliciting volunteer citizen arborists, conducting tests and demonstration plots for planting perennials in tree pits and working with the City of Toronto and other stakeholders to ensure sustainability.

Dr. Cheryl Patten, Biology Department, University of New Brunswick. Development of Biocontrol Bacteria. Objectives: to evaluate the suitability of biocontrol bacteria as a nursery treatment for seeds or seedlings, to protect young trees from fungal pathogens.
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Projects Funded in 2015

Philip van Wassenaer, Urban Forest Innovations Inc. Assessing the effects of Emerald Ash Borer Infestation on Stem Structural Properties and Uprooting Behaviour of Ash Trees. Objectives: This project investigates the expected structural decline of ash trees during their infestation with the Emerald Ash Borer and use tree-pulling tests on the stems and basal root areas of the trees. This research will inform Risk Management Plans being created by Urban Foresters and Arborists. This research will also support tree worker safety by clarifying the risks of working around such infested trees.

Allison Kermode, Simon Fraser University. Take a Stand: Youth for Conservation: Protecting BC’s Natural Forests and Enhancing the Urban Forests of Greater Vancouver. Objectives: This project seeks to foster environmental stewardship in youth in the Greater Vancouver Area through an outreach program hosted by Graduate Students at Simon Fraser University. Outreach activities will be performed at high schools and within the community to provide knowledge and skills “in tree biology, physiology and maintenance, urban forest design, and leadership mentorship for youth caring for trees in their school or community.”
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Deepa Pureswaran, Laurentian Forestry Centre. Understanding spread of the brown spruce longhorn beetle. Objectives: This project investigates the interaction between a currently escalating Spruce Budworm infestation & the slow moving Brown Spruce Longhorn Beetle on native red spruces in the Halifax area. This research has the potential to affect decision making for urban forest managers when dealing with infected trees.
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Projects Funded in 2014

Dr. David Maclean, Fredericton, NB. GIS Spatial Analysis, Supporting carbon sequestration. The research will allow us to develop a computer system in which data on current and potential urban forest inventory can be used to calculate carbon sequestration and estimate how optimized urban forestry can help offset GHG emissions data within a specified urban area. This information will provide a tool with which municipal planners and arborists can promote the need and subsequent development of optimized urban forests, and potentially help lever carbon credit funding to assist with reforestation projects.

Dr. Brenda Murphy, Brantford ON. Climate Change SOS Save Our Syrup. The purpose of this project is to educate Canadian youth about the potential impacts of climate change facing this industry, with a focus on solutions and values for youth to adopt climate friendly behaviours. This project will further enable twelve classes of grade 9-10 students to participate in the Climate Change SOS: Save Our Syrup!, and to facilitate the associated Knowledge-Attitudes-Behaviour research to assess the efficacy of the program. 
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Dr. Shelley Hunt, University of Guelph Arboretum, ON.  ElmTree Recovery Phase 2. The purpose of this project is to move forward with the second phase of the elm recovery work by augmenting existing seed orchard for DED-tolerant American elms at The Arboretum, University of Guelph. The initial screening program has identified 60 elm clones (out of 281 tested) that show exceptional promise in terms of DED tolerance. Several of these are represented in a preliminary seed orchard and  are now ready to be added to the remaining exceptional clones. The objective in 2014 is to propagate (though grafting) several replicates of each of the remaining DED-tolerant clones for eventual planting into the seed orchard. This will strengthen the existing archive of this genetically diverse group of DED-tolerant elm clones and set the stage for the production of seed containing traits of these ‘super trees’.

Projects Funded in 2013

Future Schoolyard Forests: Alice Casselman, ACER, The Association for Canadian Educational Resources. Objectives: To raise awareness of how climate change impacts our urban forests through establishment of a Planting for Change (P4C) new schoolyard site; to carry out data analysis, carbon sequestration calculations and interpret the results; and to publish a report to include 20 ACER P4C schoolyards located around the Golden Horseshoe.
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Tensile Strength Loss in Climbing Ropes: Dan Cooper, Sir Sandford Fleming College. Objectives: To test the limits of climbing and rigging lines of various diameters and constructions; to create a comprehensive chart for rope retirement criteria; and to possibly have the data included as a companion in Samson’s Rope Retirement Guide. Also, to focus on the forces created on knots that are predominately used in rigging and tree dismantling applications and determine if these knots stand up to CSA standards.

Condition and Health of Urban Tree Species: Danijela Puric Mladenova, University of Toronto. Objectives: To use the NeighbourWoods tree inventory program’s standard dataset of over 100,000 trees to conduct a species-specific analysis of tree condition and problems associated with tree size (age), growing space, location and geographic area. The analysis will allow researchers to identify and isolate problems that certain urban tree species may experience in different geographic areas, on public vs. private lands, and problems that start at different age (size). To provide a better ecological understanding of the most commonly planted trees species in Ontario and isolate favourable conditions of some less common species.

Tornado Restoration Research in Goderich: Rachel White, Huron County. Objectives: To monitor regeneration and restoration approaches in one urban versus multiple rural woodlots that were replanted as part of the tornado restoration efforts; to study the viability of assisted migration of tree species from the Carolinian Zone beyond the historical northern limit by monitoring survival and tree health over time; and to determine the efficacy of tree shelter products (e.g. Tubex tree shelters) for preventing seedling/sapling deer browse in woodland plantings.
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Projects Funded in 2012

An Assessment of Hazard Characteristics of Municipal Trees Felled in Thunder Bay, Leonard Hutchinson, Lakehead University, 1.5 year project.
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Projects Funded in 2011

Prairie Tree Trial, R. Durand, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, 5 year research project spanning 3 provinces.Involves trials of approximately 150 cultivars to identify new trees that are prairie cold hardy and not pest-susceptible. Goal is to increase the diversity of trees that can be considered for planting.

Tree Tenders Volunteer Training Program (LEAF), J. McKay, Toronto, Ontario.Educational project offering 4 training courses in Toronto and York Region.

Propagation Experiment for Red Mulberry, N. Iwanycki, Burlington, Ontario.Joint research project on an endangered species, propagation techniques, student training and data sharing.

Citizen Pruner Program, R. Seabrook, Thunder Bay, Ontario. Educate and involve city residents in early pruning; promote healthier urban forests; develop a representative model for other cities.

Urban Forest’s Benefits Model, B. Doff, Thunder Bay, Ontario. Educational and scientific: Using Thunder Bay as a case study that will be applicable to other cities, develop a model to sequence planting, protection and care efforts to optimize community benefits and attain long-term community sustainability goals.

Tree Planting at Cookstown Public School, S. Reilly, Cookstown, Ontario. Educational project: planting native trees at school and developing a teaching tool supporting the Ontario Curriculum to develop awareness of trees, native species, planting and their relationship to our environment.

Test Relatedness & Mycorrhizal Associations in Blue Ash, A. File, Hamilton, Ontario. A 2 year research project on a rare species. Goals are to regenerate the population and increase its use in the urban landscape.

Bytown Museum Exhibit: History of Urban Forest, J. Dean, Ottawa, Ontario. Educational project and multifaceted strategy: preparation of a 6 panel exhibit on the history of urban trees, website, public lectures and exhibit tours. 
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Canadian Trees in a Changing Climate (ACER), A. Casselman, Toronto, Ontario. Educational and scientific: Long-term community projects involving volunteer students and community in planting, monitoring, measuring and reporting trees; standardized plots and monitoring to create awareness of climate issues for general public.

Toronto Tree Tour, Baye Hunter, Toronto, Ontario. Educational project: Create tree tour on Toronto Island online and self-guided with educational information about trees; promote healthy lifestyles and enjoyment of green spaces in urban areas. Website link

Chontrol Trial in Assiniboine Park, K. Pearce, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Research project on eradication of European buckthorn; compare mortality rates using naturally occurring fungal plant pathogen (Chontrol Peat Paste), Roundup, and mechanical interventions.

Arbutus Tree Restoration & Research, C. Anson, Gibsons, British Columbia. Independent project: Raise seedlings of tree species in crisis; provide seedlings to public places and large developments.

Projects Funded in 2010

Planning for Change, ACER Ongoing training of students and volunteers to collect scientific data on annual tree growth and local climate enables ACER (Association for Canadian Educational Resources) to monitor changes on local plots. Community-based data collected by ACER uses international protocols and therefore can provide the basis for projecting the future outlook for Ontario’s trees. Plans for a three day summer workshop include lectures on leading edge climate change modelling, in collaboration with Environment Canada, and hands on training for monitoring climate change, planting, forest biodiversity plots, and restoration ecology. 
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Arborist Knot Testing – Phase 2, Humber Arboriculture Program Many arborists rely on the safety of knots in their rigging systems when lowering branches or blocks of wood to the ground. Although these knots are used as attachment or anchor points on a regular basis, we should know if the knots provide sufficient strength and also meet the CSA standard. Testing of them would allow arborists to better understand reactionary forces that are applied during this process. This proposal from the Humber College Arboriculture Program involves testing of rigging knots and termination knots, and the results will be passed on to the Arborist Safe Work Practices Committee to be considered for inclusion in the next reprint of the Arborist Safe Work Practice.

Tree Tenders Training Program, LEAF Already providing a successful training program for resident volunteers, LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests) proposes to continue and improve delivery of this program, expanding from Toronto into York Region. Through further development of this model education program, replication in other communities will be possible. The Tree Tenders training course involves classroom instruction as well as outdoor, hands-on activities to provide citizens interested in improving the urban forest with basic arboricultural training (instructors are ISA certified arborists). 
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Community Tree Planting & Athletic Events, Preparing the Trail 2010 This is a grassroots, environmentally active, not-for-profit, athletic organization. Their programs promote environmental and health awareness, starting at the community level and continuing across Canada, by combining tree planting and athletic participation. After a successful pilot project in British Columbia, this adventurous group established an online tree planting and adoption program with GPS location and photos, and has partnered with Trees Ontario. Preparing the Trail proposes to hold a combination of community tree planting and athletic events over the next 12 months maintaining educational programs, tree adoption and website updates for each.

Projects Funded in 2009

Conservation & Restoration of American Beech Trees, Mark J. Krosowski, University of New Brunswick.

A New Generation of Stress Tolerant Sugar Maples & Further Norway Maple Investigation, Dr. Peter Kevan & Anne Marie Roussy, University of Guelph. 
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Production of a Series of Educational/Promotional Short Films About Native Trees, Susan Poizner (Canadian documentary filmmaker, Toronto, Ontario.
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Continuation of Tree Monitoring Programs, ACER, Mississauga, Ontario.

Eradication of Elm Tree Diseases in Woodchips Through Composting, Dr. Jerry Leonard, Edmonton Waste Management Centre of Excellence, Edmonton, AB

Projects Funded in 2008

Restoration of Roadside Sugar Maples, Dr. Peter Kevan & Anne-Marie Roussy, University of Guelph.
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Biology & Management of Tar Spot in Maple, Dr. Tom Hsiang, University of Guelph. 
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Monitoring of Trees for Climate Change, Education Awareness Engagement, ACER, Toronto, Ontario. 

Tree Tender Training Program: Building Urban Forest Stewardship Capacity Within Toronto Neighbourhoods, LEAF, Toronto, Ontario.
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Forest Ecological Restoration Project, Kristy Wakeling, Scarborough Outdoor Education School & Dr. Steven Murphy, University of Waterloo. 
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Projects Funded in 2007

Prediction of Tree Failure to Wind Loading, Stephen Mitchell & Kenneth Byrne, University of British Columbia. 
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Protecting High Value Urban Pine Trees Against the Western & Mountain Pine Beetle, Ian Wilson, City of Kelowna.

Projects Funded in 2006

Let’s Plant and Measure Up! ACER, Toronto, Ontario.
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Protecting Urban Trees of St. John’s, Newfoundland Against Elm Spanworm (Ennomos subsignaria), Dr. Dan Quiring, University of New Brunswick. 
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Evaluation of Control of Red Elm Weevil in American Elm Trees, Michael Booth, Lethbridge Research Centre, Alberta.

Reduced Transplant Mortality by Soil Amendments for Water and Nutrient Bioavailability, Bill De Young, Reforest London, London, Ontario.

Projects Funded in 2005

Restoration of Roadside Sugar Maple & Sexual Reproduction in Ontario’s Maples, Dr. Peter G. Kevan & Adam Dale, University of Guelph.

CSA Testing of Arborists’ Climbing Knots, Ruurd van de Ven et al., Toronto, Ontario.

Review of the Use of Systemic Insecticides for the Control of Tree Pests, Dr. Gard Otis, University of Guelph.

Development & Communication of a Hazard Tree Policy, Henry Krukowski.

Projects Funded in 2004

Range Expansion, Host Preferences & Improved Trapping Methods of the Emerald Ash Borer. Dr. Gard Otis, University of Guelph. 

Field Testing of Additives to Improve Inoculation with Mycorrhizal Fungi on Newly Planted Street Trees, Mario Lanthier, Private Arborist, British Columbia.

The State of Canada’s Municipal Forests, Dr. Andy Kenney, University of Toronto.

Projects Funded in 2003

Selecting & Managing Urban Seed Trees, Marshall Buchanan. 

Emerald Ash Borer Educational Video, Philip van Wassenaer, Toronto, Ontario.

Behaviour & Pheromones of the Emerald Ash Borer, a New Exotic, Dr. Gard Otis, University of Guelph. 
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Projects Funded in 2002

The Second Urban Woodland Conservation Challenge-Sustainable Management Stage 2, Dr. Roger Suffling & David Schmitt, University of Waterloo.

Measure Up! Part 2, ACER, Toronto, Ontario.

Reproductive Biology for Conservation & Propogation of the Cucumber Tree (Magnolia acuminata) in Carolinian Canada, Dr. Peter Kevan, University of Guelph.

Investigating Alamo Micro-Injectors for the Control of Dothiorella Wilt in an Urban Elm Population, Dr. J.P. Tewari, University of Alberta.

Fifth Canadian Urban Forest Conference.

Projects Funded in 2001

The Second Urban Woodland Conservation Challenge-Sustainable Management Stage 2, Dr. Roger Suffling & David Schmitt, University of Waterloo.

Measure Up! Part 2, ACER, Toronto, Ontario.

Reproductive Biology for Conservation & Propogation of the Cucumber Tree (Magnolia acuminata) in Carolinian Canada, Dr. Peter Kevan, University of Guelph.

Investigating Alamo Micro-Injectors for the Control of Dothiorella Wilt in an Urban Elm Population, Dr. J.P. Tewari, University of Alberta.

Fifth Canadian Urban Forest Conference

Projects Funded in 2000

Developing Dutch Elm Disease Diagnostic Capability, Dr. J.P. Tewari, University of Alberta.

Physiologically Based Tree Health Assessments, Dr. R.A. Savidge, University of New Brunswick.

There’s a Fungus Among Us, Keith Anderson, Parks Director, City of North Battleford, Saskatchewan.

Projects Funded in 1999

Elm Recovery Project, Henry Kock & Philip van Wassenaer, The Arboretum, Guelph, Ontario.

Projects Funded in 1998

Crown Volume Estimation for Open-Growth Urban Trees, Dr. Andy Kenney, University of Toronto.

Establishment of Younger Native Stock, Len Munt, Region of York.