09/29/2026
At Captain Cornelius Park in Hamilton, Ontario, volunteers are helping restore and expand an urban forest. Together with community partners, they’re helping and creating the conditions for nature to thrive in the heart of the city.
During a Community Planting Day on September 26, Jen Baker of the Hamilton Naturalists Club shared how years of buckthorn removal have opened up space for new trees and greater biodiversity. About 15 volunteers, including families and first-time tree planters, came out to help.
“It’s always exciting to see people of all ages, whether they’re 2 or 100, plant their first tree.”
In the lead-up to the event, Grade 6 students from nearby Calvin Christian School helped remove buckthorn as part of a hands-on lesson in biodiversity and invasive species management.
Jen also highlighted the importance of working together: “Without community partnerships, we’d be sunk. We’re dependent on partnerships for almost everything that we do.”
Canadian Nursery Landscape Association
Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association
Plants Love You
