The pandemic couldn’t stop the York community from working toward sustainability on its campuses. Collaboratively, the Office of Sustainability, Facilities Services and Regenesis@York, a student environmental group, held tree planting events on the Keele and Glendon campuses during the 2021-2022 academic year.  

“We had to follow institutional protocols to get approval for the events, putting safety measures in place,” said Nicole Arsenault, program director of the Office of Sustainability.  

Nonetheless, there were plenty of eager participants for the events, held in the fall at Glendon and in the spring at Keele. “It was a great opportunity for students, faculty and staff to get involved and to de-stress,” said Arsenault. “Being in touch with nature has so many well-being benefits.” 

As for the larger picture, noted Arsenault, “York University aspires to be Net Zero by 2049 and the regenerating of our ecosystems on campus is important and plays a big role in getting there.” As trees grow, they help mitigate the effects of climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the air, storing that carbon within the trees and soil, and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere.   

The events also fit perfectly with the University’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals, especially Climate Action, Life on Land and Partnerships for the goals. 

The trees came courtesy of a City of Toronto grant to Regenesis@York. The city’s strategic priorities include investing in people and neighbourhoods, tackling climate change and building resilience. They were chosen by the Facilities and Services staff, who also determined the best planting locations. All of the trees were native species, as specified by the grant and applauded by the University. 

“We’re trying to encourage more native species on campus to build an eco-system for native pollinators, such as bees, that are struggling,” said Arsenault. 

The events offered participants a chance to do something on campus, even when classes were being delivered remotely. 

“People love this event,” said Arsenault. “We have a history of doing tree planting events on campus, and there is such joy when they get their hands dirty and feel as if they are giving back.”