Michael de Pencier’s legacy has helped contribute more than 3.5 million trees to the communities where Canadians live, work and play
National non-profit urban tree planting organization Trees for Life, in partnership with the City of Toronto, Waterfront Toronto and the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, will plant the Michael de Pencier Legacy Forest in Biidaasige Park, honouring the late co-founder of Trees for Life who passed away in 2024. On Saturday, September 26, more than 100 volunteers will plant 500 native trees.
A Toronto businessman and a tireless environmental advocate, de Pencier co-founded the national non-profit organization with expert gardener Mark Cullen and now retired Landscape Ontario Executive Director, Tony DiGiovanni. This legacy has contributed to helping to build vibrant communities where neighbours can connect, children can play, and people can immerse themselves in nature. Since its inception in 2015, Trees for Life has planted more than 3.5 million trees in urban environments where Canadians live, work and play.
De Pencier was always keen to support environmental preservation initiatives across Canada, but he was especially passionate about greening up the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Areas. He added his voice to many groups dedicated to renaturalizing Toronto’s waterfront, so selecting this location as a signature project for the Michael de Pencier Legacy Fund to support is especially fitting.
The new trees will help address local environmental priorities such as habitat for wildlife, helping to stabilize the banks of the new river, mitigating the effects of severe storms and providing cooling shade during hot summer months.
JUST THE DETAILS
WHEN: Saturday, September 26, 10am – 12pm
WHERE: Biidaasige Park, 51 Commissioners St, Toronto, ON M5A 1A6
Planting Site: From the parking lot, walk along Commissioners Street towards Don Roadway to get to the planting site. Follow the onsite signage.
WHO WILL ATTEND:
- Marina Dimitriadis, Executive Director, Trees for Life
- Mark Cullen, Co-Founder, Past Chair, Trees for Life
- Marlaine Kohler, Executive Director, Waterfront Regeneration Trust
- David Crombie, Waterfront Regeneration Trust
- Kyle Gatchalian, Senior Project Manager, Waterfront Toronto
- Kim Statham, Director, Urban Forestry, City of Toronto
- Rosalyn Endlich, Natural Environment Specialist, City of Toronto
- Jessica Iraci, Policy and Project Advisor, City of Toronto
- Approx. 100 Community volunteers
Here is a quick look at the importance of trees to urban environments:
The Tree Effect: How Healthy Urban Tree Canopies Benefit Communities
Trees deliver powerful benefits, including:
- Nature’s Natural “Air Conditioning”: Shade from the urban tree canopy helps combat extreme heat, cooling the air by up to several degrees. It can also reduce air-conditioning use.
- Supporting Mental & Physical Health: Trees filter pollutants, improving air quality (especially important for those with asthma and other respiratory conditions). Plus, time spent in nature reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, improves mood and encourages physical activity.
- Climate Action: Experts agree tree planting is one of the most scalable, affordable and effective nature-based solutions to tackle climate change.
- Water management: Established trees help prevent shoreline erosion, filter pollutants to protect waterways and absorb stormwater to reduce flooding risks.
- Biodiversity: Trees create habitats to support wildlife.
