The High Park Stewards in-field stewardship events resumed in July 2021 after being put on hold due to COVID-19 resurgences during the first part of the year. The first event for 2021 was held on July 25th. Similarly to last year, these events had COVID-19 health and safety measures in place approved by Toronto Public Health. There were eight events: Three planting events, three invasive species management events and two seed collections.
View and download a pdf of this work here and a video of 2021 Accomplishments.
Sept 27 2021 Stewards Photo: Jaclyn Scobie
Over those eight events, there were 82 participants contributing 164 volunteer hours covering an area of 4100 m2. 1730 native plants have been planted consisting of 21 different native species over 420 m2 .
July Planting 2021 Photo: Jaclyn Scobie
INVASIVE SPECIES REMOVED
The invasive species that were targeted for removal included Japanese Hedge Parsley, European Buckthorn, Glossy Buckthorn, Tartarian Honeysuckle, Manitoba Maple and Euonymus over an area of 5850 m2.
PLANTINGS
The main species that were planted included:
Shrubs:
New Jersey Tea
(Ceanothus americanus) & Bush Honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera)
Grass/Sedge: Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)
Forbs: Grey Goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) & Upland White Goldenrod (Solidago ptarmicoides)
SEED COLLECTION
Thirteen native species of seeds were collected for propagation at the High Park Native Plant Nursery to support next year’s plantings. Some collected species include:
Big Bluestem, Little Bluestem, Indian Grass, Canada Wild Rye, Wild Bergamot, Bush Honeysuckle Showy Tick Trefoil, Pale-leaved Sunflower, Round Headed Bush Clover and Hoary Vervain.
Jaclyn Scobie
Parks Program Officer
Urban Forestry – City of Toronto
