At the Canadian Tree Fund, we have had a busy year touring trees and watching our research dollars in action. We are gearing up for another exciting season of vetting grant and bursary applications and watching all the great things that happen in the tree industry when we invest in research and education. Here is what we have been busy doing as well as a few things to watch out for in the upcoming months!
Jack Kimmel dollars hard at work. Citizen Pruners – coming to a town near you?
In 2017 Neighbourwoods on the Grand, a tree advocacy group in Centre Wellington received funding through our Jack Kimmel grant for a “Citizen Pruners” project – a simple and practical project with the goal of training volunteers to care for the smaller trees in their community in order to educate citizens to recognize structural problems before they became problematic.
After a successful run of the programme through the summer of 2017, they decided to take the project to the next level for 2018.
On June 23rd, 2018 Neighbourwoods offered a full day training designed for other tree organizations to learn about the details of the Citizen Pruner Program. The goal was sharing all that Neighbourwoods had learned so that other communities could learn how to offer a similar program as easily as possible.
The training included a PowerPoint presentation designed to equip volunteers with all the information that they need to know about how a tree grows, how to safely prune a tree and where and when it is appropriate to do so. Attendees received information about how the program was organized, with some handy dos’ and don’ts and had a chance to get in a good dose of field practice. All participating organizations walked away with thumb drives containing the PowerPoint training and samples of the organizational tools and publications – all the necessary tools to start a Citizen Pruner Program in their community.
In total 20 people from various communities and organizations throughout Southern Ontario left with the tools to bring citizen pruners to their neighbourhoods. So look out for a group near you or contact neighbourwoods@eloraenviromentcentre.ca if you are interested in setting something up in your area.
Annual Tree Canopy Tour – “Tour The Trees – Centre Wellington”
Saturday, July 14th, 2018 the Canadian Tree Fund proudly held our annual Tree Canopy Tour. Hosted by Neighbourwoods on the Grand, “Tour the Trees – Centre Wellington” was held in the small towns of Fergus and Elora. Thirty cyclists attended the 11k bike ride and explored the area’s greatest trees. They were taken on a discovery of 10 trees or areas of natural and cultural significance.
Queen Victoria herself (portrayed by Deb Dalziel) presented one of the grand Sugar Maples planted in her honour for her Diamond Jubilee. Victorian characters (Al Koop and Gary Bryant) spoke of the tough Ironwood in Victoria Park, Elora, as well as the controversy around the historic Kissing Stane.
As always, this event provided a fun way to explore the community through a thoughtful investigation into the local natural wonders of a community. The Tour concluded with ceremonial tree planting of a large white pine overlooking the Grand River in Bissell Park, Elora.
Are you sorry missed it? Maps will be available soon at the Centre Wellington Tourism office for anyone interested in a self-guided tour. Contact us at the Tree Fund if you are interested in exploring the Trees of Fergus and Elora and want more information about the route and how to get a map!
2018 Tour Des Trees – Ohio
We are so proud to announce that our three Canadian riders in this year’s Tour Des Trees in the Buckeye State raised $14000 for tree research and education! We encourage you to support our riders in Nashville, Tennessee in 2019. Please see Professor Pricklethorn’ s article – P.E.P. Talks for a detailed account of this event! See our website for donation details!
New Website – CanadianTreeFund.org – Same address, new look! We are launching our new website. Still at CanadianTreeFund.org, you will find all you need to apply for funding, donate, and check out the projects that we support or even sign up to ride the next Tour Des Trees in Nashville as part of Team Canada 2019!
Funding Available! Deadlines approaching!
Jack Kimmel Research Grant – We are accepting applications for projects that support research and education in our industry. The deadline for submissions is December 1. We look forward to reviewing this year’s applications. Does your project apply? Submit your application online on our website!
Harold Van Dyke Bursary – Students studying Arboriculture or in related fields are encouraged to apply for the Harold Van Dyke Bursary by January 15. The objectives of this bursary, of $500, is to provide financial assistance to a student(s) pursuing a career in arboriculture and to promote a greater awareness of arboriculture. For more details about the bursary, if you qualify and how to apply check out our website!
CTF events at the ISAO Conference – Windsor – CTF Putt OFF and Silent Auction
As you know, time flies, and we cannot wait to see your smiling faces at the next ISAO Conference in Windsor. As is tradition, we are looking forward to organizing the silent auction. We are always in awe of all the generous donations of silent auction items and to anyone that volunteers to lend a hand. If you have an item that you would like to donate, or would like to lend a hand at this event please contact us through our website: CanadianTreeFund.org
CTF PUTT OFF!!! Are you going to wear the next Green Jacket? Our designers are feverishly designing the custom attire as you read this article. There was some stiff competition last year in Huntsville at our first Putt Off Tournament for Tree Research! Practice when you can and save your toonies and we will see if there is a new reigning champion in 2019! Watch out Ruurd!
We sure know how to have fun eh? Trees, Bikes, Golf, Research and Education! The Canadian Tree Fund could not do it without you! We thank you for your support and look forward to another great year working together to support our industry through tree research and education! Thanks for giving trees a chance.
Until Next time! All our gratitude!
Alison Morrison is a trustee of The Canadian Tree Fund