Project Type: Tree Planting
Year: 2018
Season: Spring
On Saturday May 12th 2018, ReForest London held their 8th annual Celebration Forest Event. The event welcomed hundreds of attendees who planted 182 trees in honour of loved ones. The day included a ceremony where the names of the honourees were read, followed by a tree planting in the Celebration Forest, which is located near the Westminster Ponds Environmentally Significant Area. During the ceremony, local poet Frank Beltrano read two poems about trees.
Of this year’s Tree Gifts, 31 were purchased by local businesses and not-for-profit organizations to honour clients, patients or past employees. Our biggest supporters were Dr. Pavan of the Whitehills Dental Centre, London Hydro, and the London Convention Centre. A tree gift was also purchased by the Jacob Ross Clemens Foundation in honour of their namesake, and one by Addiction Services Thames Valley in honour of the 400 lives lost to the opioid crisis in London Ontario. If your business or organization would like to purchase a Tree Gift, please contact [email protected].
Photography volunteer Kate Fraser had this to say about a special moment she captured during the tree planting:
I was fortunate enough to meet two wonderful ladies who came with intentions to sing a water song to the trees to ensure their best growth. These indigenous women sang from their hearts to the trees while making music with their hide-drums and shakers. It was truly moving… What a wonderful country we live in that we can learn from our Aboriginal ancestors and learn to grow as a beautiful community together. It was an honour to photograph!
Check out Kate’s photography on Instagram at @kayfras5213.
To see all the photos from the event, click here.
The event was made possible by a number of staff, volunteers and board members who provided over 80 hours of service. In addition, the event was made possible by two generous sponsors, Horizon Leadership and LTC Landscape Services.