We are a volunteer, non-profit group dedicated to restoring natural habitat within the Rouge Valley, located on the northeastern outskirts of Toronto. We organize a public one-day tree planting each year during Earth Week.

Each planting attracts about 1,500 volunteers. Over the past 17 years, our volunteers have planted over 125,000 trees and shrubs and helped restore over 125 acres of land.

Our plantings protect creeks and streams in the Rouge watershed from soil erosion, helping to link existing islands of forest and extending wildlife corridors. Together we're making a difference.

Our legacy is hands-on education and stewardship.

Through our work, we hope a legacy of preservation will continue to grow for years to come. We are very proud to have introduced thousands of people to the joys of turning empty fields into growing forests. Our volunteer groups learn practical skills – and people of all ages dig right in and realize they can do something for the land, wildlife and people in our city.

10,000 Trees for the Rouge is an all-volunteer group dedicated to restoring wildlife habitat in the Rouge Park through the planting of native trees and shrubs. Everything we plant is carefully selected by our Registered Professional Forester, Marshall Buchanan, to provide both food and shelter opportunities for wildlife. As those of you who have planted with us know, we also install nesting snags to encourage the early return of bird species such as tree swallows, wrens, and the eastern bluebird. To help this along, we also install downed woody debris, which, during decomposition, attracts insect species that are a food source for the returning birds.

This year’s planting on April 27th, 2008, will be our 19th annual planting. Our flyer mentions all of the businesses and government agencies who support us with both financial and in-kind help. But just as important is you – our volunteers – without whom none of this would be possible. To date, together we have planted 150,000 native trees and shrubs, restoring some 140 acres back to natural cover.

We have had some pretty ugly weather over the years, but you volunteers just keep coming out! Thank you! It is heartening for our group to see just how many people care about our planet, and the creatures that we share it with.

Last year’s planting had some pretty spectacular weather, and almost 2,000 volunteers showed up to help us plant a total of 5,100 trees. Special guests who came out to our planting included the Premier of Ontario and his Ministers of the Environment and Natural Resources. They decided to use our event to announce the provision of another 1.8 million trees to help in the greening of Ontario. It is very gratifying when government starts to see what we all have been seeing for years.

Many of our executive group of volunteers, who organize the plantings, have been around for many years – some of us since the group started back in 1989! Few of us had any expertise in tree planting when we joined the group, but we learned along the way from those with experience. We are always looking for volunteers to join our planning committee, partly to replace those who retire, partly to inject new blood into the organization, and partly to expand the size of the core group in order to take on new projects that we would like to get involved in.

If you would like to join us, please contact us or talk to one of our committee members. We meet once a month throughout the year, except for the summer months. There are lots of different projects you can help us out with, depending on what it is that you would like to do. You can also sit in on one of our meetings and get an idea of what it is that we do before deciding what works for you.

I look forward to seeing all of you again at this year’s planting. Let’s make it another success for the Rouge Valley!

-- Colin Creasey, Chairman, 10,000 Trees for the Rouge

William (Bill) Carrick: November 14, 1920 - October 7, 2002
We are thankful for the life of Bill Carrick, a much-respected local naturalist, wildlife photographer, and cinematographer. Just a few of the films Bill worked on were "Grey Owl" and "Fly Away Home." While he might well be remembered for his print and film work alone, Bill made a lasting imprint on many lives, raising nature awareness with his wildlife breeding and rehabilitation programs. Members of 10K fondly remember Bill as a person who was always willing to lend a hand to help the Rouge Valley, or to share his affection for nature – particularly his beavers. We miss Bill's experience and most of all, his kind heart.

Bill Carrick, centre with Joel McAlister, left and Marshall Buchanan

The Rouge Park is one of the world's largest natural parks in an urban and agricultural setting. Restoration of damaged ecosystems within the park is a priority. Unprecedented public support spurred the creation of Rouge Park, and continued support will be needed as the park begins the long process of ecological healing. Working with park managers, volunteers will play a key role in creating a healthier future for the Rouge by planting new forests and meadows and restoring habitats for fish, birds and other living things while introducing park visitors to nature close to the city.

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