Forestry undergraduate students present tree inventory project results to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario

A group of undergraduate students enrolled in the fall session of FOR305H1: Biology of Trees and Forests chose the main grounds of Queen’s Park of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to conduct their Neighbourhood Tree Inventory project. For this assignment, students could choose a street or park in their neighbourhood. With the assistance of course instructor, Eric Davies, the students received permission to conduct the tree survey through the office of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the Honourable Ted Arnott, and his Executive Assistant, Rachel Nauta.

Each student surveyed their own section of the park including the north park which belongs to the City of Toronto. Their work highlighted some very important findings including the poor health and rapid decline of the grounds’ oldest trees, and the poor health of the newly planted trees. The students, Catherine Montgomery, Edward Sen, Cindy Li, Salwa Jama, Samuel Sherman and Kaela Redman, had an opportunity to visit the Legislature and present their findings to MPP Mary-Margaret McMahon and Rachel Nauta. Queen’s Park greatly appreciated this work and hopes to continue the student project, integrating it into their grounds planning which is done in collaboration with the City of Toronto.