Name: Westly Pink
Volunteer since: Fall 2016
Role: Community Liaison
About Westly: Hi, my name is Westly. I am 14 years old and in grade 9. I have been volunteering for four years with ReForest London. The person that first inspired me to love nature was Mrs. McCaw, my senior kindergarten teacher here in London. The first tree I planted was behind a bike shop on Exeter Road nine years ago when I belonged to Beavers. I have lost count how many I have planted with the different groups I work with and with my family, but it’s over 600 in the last 9 years.
Westly on Volunteering: I have enjoyed volunteering with ReForest London. I volunteer at their annual seedling giveaway at the Western Fair, and have taken part each year for the last four years. I also do many of the events including Go Wild Grow Wild and special events at the office. I usually get to work with my mom. We meet a lot of fellow nature lovers and they teach us a lot about London’s love affair with trees.
My volunteering is spread out between The Royal Canadian Sea Cadets Corp Courageous, ReForest London, Friends of Stoney Creek as well as visiting with the Canadian veterans at Parkwood Hospital on a weekly basis. Meeting them has taught me a lot about our history of Canada. I also enjoy being a member of the London Gem, Mineral & Fossil Society.
I really get to see nature from its very core, from below the topsoil to a tree’s highest branch!