L to R: Singer/songwriter Bruce Cockburn; Andrea Dawber, Tammy Finnikin and Bridey Dion of GreenHere; Sandra Odendahl of the RBC Foundation; and Jed Goldberg, President of Earth Day Canada
Earth Day Canada is thrilled to recognize GreenHere as the winner of the 2010 Hometown Heroes Group Award. GreenHere, a charitable not-for-profit organization based in the community of Davenport-Perth in Toronto, facilitates accessible environmental action and education programs that provide community members the opportunity to connect and revitalize urban green spaces. Ultimately, GreenHere empowers their neighbourhood to overcome high levels of greenhouse gases, a lack of recreational green space and a high percentage of paved surfaces—helping to reduce the “urban heat island” effect.
GreenHere was developed with a vision of a thriving urban forest, created and sustained through an equitable and accessible stewardship process; optimizing public space and land usage in marginalized communities. Its unique and innovative grassroots programs utilize youth and volunteers to promote tree stewardship in the local neighbourhood. GreenHere’s initiatives include
- Working with local schools to convert asphalt playgrounds into ‘living classrooms’ by removing existing concrete and planting trees, native species and herb gardens
- Educational workshops, providing local schools and community groups a sense of environmental action by restoring landscapes and changing long-term behaviour towards the natural environment
- The Free Backyard Tree Project, whereby volunteers canvass local homes and plant a ‘free tree’ to increase local canopy cover. Volunteers speak 8 different languages to accommodate diverse community members, and fruit trees have been added to the available species for planting to address local food security issues.
Earth Day Canada would like to congratulate GreenHere for contributing to a healthier environment by facilitating programs that provide accessibility to nature and educate community members about the importance of green spaces in urban areas.
