As far as community events go, ones that include a goody bag of sorts tend to rank pretty high on the must-add-to-calendar list. Especially so if that goody bag comes in the form of free shrubbery.
This weekend the District of North Vancouver will be hosting the third iteration of its Urban Tree Canopy event, where members of the Urban Tree Canopy program can come learn about the local environment, the benefits of planting urban trees and, perhaps most importantly of all, pick up a free tree or shrub.
The flora-focused event, running at the Wild Bird Trust/Coast Salish Plant Nursery from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m Saturday and Sunday and open only to those who have registered, began in 2021 as a means to encourage local residents to get more involved with combating the climate crisis.
“The program was really designed to take advantage of what is one of the most cost-effective climate action mitigation tools that any person or an organization has at their disposal, and that is trees and vegetation,” said Richard Boase, manager of environmental sustainability for the district.
Since then, 689 trees and shrubs have been planted by members. Smatterings of cedars and firs, dogwoods and willows that the district hope to be the beginnings of a thriving tree canopy.
“Right now we’re hoping it’s going to go as big as it possibly can,” said Boase, adding that the program has been “nothing but heartwarming” since it began two years ago.
“The people that have chosen to come out and get themselves involved, whether out of curiosity or out of a position of knowledge, have offered nothing but positive feedback. And so, in regards to how big the event can grow, well, I think it can grow as big as the community wants it to grow,” he said.
This year the district has looked to local Indigenous communities for guidance on how to better incorporate and protect native trees and shrubs, inviting səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Knowledge Keeper Les George to attend the events and in turn impart his knowledge to green fingered locals.
George will host a welcoming ceremony, in addition to leading planting and propagation demonstrations, telling traditional tales and helping lead bird and nature walks.
George hopes that if district residents have only one takeaway from the weekend, it is the knowledge that even the smallest of environmental actions can play a large role in the fight against climate change.
“I think people can learn from our teachings and our protocols,” he said. “I hope everyone gets something out of this event, mainly the knowledge that we can all do our part and take care of this land that we’re on.”
Mina Kerr-Lazenby is the North Shore News’ Indigenous and civic affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
