New Tecumseth is getting greener
During the week of May 18, Greys for Green was excited to help with some maintenance work on one of the Town of New Tecumseth’s new micro forests at the new Tottenham Water Tower.
The Town has a bold goal of increasing the Urban Tree Canopy from 21% (as of 2021) to 30% across all developed and developing areas. This means more shade, cleaner air, and healthier ecosystems in every neighbourhood. Equally exciting is the implementation of its Special Projects initiative. Thanks to some new funding obtained last year from the Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund, the Urban Forestry team is creating three micro forests and three food forests in Alliston, Beeton and Tottenham.
Micro forests are densely planted areas designed to model natural forests ecosystems on a miniature or “micro” scale. Trees, shrubs, and perennials of varying and mature sizes and species promote habitat for pollinators, birds, and other vital components of a healthy ecosystem. We were happy helpers in planting Phase 1 of the micro forest in Hillcrest Park in Alliston last year. Phase II of the micro forest will be planted in a few weeks.
Another micro forest is being planned for Hanley Park in Alliston. There, a very old and significant oak tree seemed to be under threat a few years ago. After an analysis by renowned expert, Frank Rinn, the tree was deemed sound but needed some protection. The town began putting mulch around the tree and according to Catherine Dowdell, of New Tecumseth’s Urban Forestry team, the tree is now growing better. The new micro forest will be planted around it. Catherine says, “the oak tree is like a Veteran, and the seedlings of the new micro forest will act like the soldiers surrounding it.” Says Catherine, “it warms my heart to think of that because it’s creating a little forest and the next playground for kids to see it grow and have good memories of it.”
A food forest is a sustainable, self-sufficient planting system that also mimics the structure and function of a natural forest and provides food for people. It is an intentionally designed planting site, which includes fruit and/or nut-bearing trees and/or shrubs such as apple, pear, cherry, hickory, and walnut. The first food forest being developed is in the Joan Sutherland Park in Tottenham. The Beeton Foodforest will be along the Trans-Canada Trail between the 9th and 10th Lines. The third one will be at the Community Garden land in Alliston. The planting sites are being prepared this year using the Town’s mulch that will stimulate the forest floor as it decomposes, thereby promoting biodiversity and soil health for years to come.
These forests will be more than trees—they’ll be places to gather, grow, and relax. Urban living often distances us from our natural ecosystems. We must restore our connection to nature and become more mindful of our dependency on it. It is why we at Greys for Green feel a responsibility to support initiatives that will connect people with nature. We are committed to helping with future micro forest work and we welcome anyone who wants to assist us in helping New Tecumseth become even greener.