Guelph set to celebrate National Forest Week this month

Forest heritage is something to be celebrated.

This year, during National Heritage Week, Canadians are invited to learn about trees and raise awareness about all that they offer.

From Sept. 22 to the 28, the theme for National Heritage Week 2024 is 'two-eyed seeing: welcoming all knowledge to sustain our forests.'

Guelph will celebrate National Forest Week with events that include tree plantings, forest walks, family events, tree bingo and a tree trivia night.

Clare Irwin, a member of the Guelph Urban Forest Friends (GUFF) steering committee, said the week will be filled with something for everybody.

"There is a diversity of activities. And they are all put on by local non-for-profit charitable organizations who are really concerned about the urban forest and trees in general. This includes the loss of the canopy and the need to preserve and care for existing trees as well as plant as many more trees as possible," Irwin said.

"But also, it's about caring for what you have. It does take so long for a tree to mature, so you have to preserve them while you can. Treat them well."

GUFF is a group of volunteers who work, through education and advocacy, to maintain and increase the health, integrity and area of Guelph’s urban forest.

Members believe the ecological and social benefits trees provide offer immense value to everyone, whether the trees are on public or private property.

GUFF has been involved with National Heritage Week events for the past three to four years.

"We've used that as an opportunity to bring people's attention to trees and to learn about the importance of trees in Guelph. They can find out what they can do to either grow the canopy, which we are still losing, and how they can try to preserve it. We want to encourage people to plant trees on their own property and to support other organizations that have tree planting," Irwin said.

Irwin is also on the board with Pollination Guelph, a group of individuals dedicated to the conservation and development of pollinator habitats.

The importance of trees to pollinating insects, Irwin said, is something people are less aware of.

"People often tend to think of pretty flowering plants. But trees are very important because they often come into bloom earlier, often the first things to provide natural pollen for insects," she said.

Irwin said the schedule for National Forest Week week includes a number of tree planting events which is something people seem to enjoy and also offers children the opportunity to get involved.

"They can get exposure to trees and to the people who care for them," Irwin said.

"We hope that will then rub off on them and make them think, as they get older, about what they can do to help benefit trees and preserve what we have."

On Sept. 24 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., John Ambrose will be recognized as the recipient of the Henry Kock Stewardship Award at the Arboretum Centre.

Named in honour of Henry Kock, a noted horticulturist, eco-activist and founder of the Elm Recovery Project in Ontario, the award is presented annually to someone who is considered to embody Kock's characteristics of wisdom, integrity and mentorship in their stewardship of trees.

Ambrose was involved in the early days of the University of Guelph Arboretum, as well as plant life at the Toronto Zoo. Many Guelph parks feature hop trees that were donated by Ambrose through his research projects.

"Apart from the the opportunities for planting or for informative walks, I would say the other thing that we would like to highlight is a tribute to Dr. John Ambrose," Irwin said.  

"He's been an amazing resource in Guelph, who did work in the Arboretum for many years. He loves trees and now that he is in retirement, we want to arrange an event for him, to honour him and pay tribute to all he has done to support trees, professionally, and as a personal contribution."

For a full list of National Forest Week 2024 events in Guelph, visit here.

"Trees are equally important to the sustainability of the natural environment, for pollination, and for the birds," Irwin said.

"It all fits together."