Community Tree Planting Efforts Help to Increase Richmond Hill’s Tree Canopy

Council received a report outlining the continued success of Richmond Hill’s efforts to protect the natural environment and its achievements in 2016. Major highlights include the Community Stewardship and Healthy Yards Programs and their contributions to increasing Richmond Hill’s urban tree canopy cover by 4.6% in just over five years. Through the Community Stewardship Program, Richmond Hill works with agencies and community volunteers to improve the local environment through activities such as tree planting, stream restoration and invasive species removal. In 2016, with the help of 2,000 community volunteers and partner agencies, 10,100 trees/shrubs were planted in Richmond Hill parks and natural areas. The Healthy Yards Program provides residents the opportunity to purchase native trees, shrubs and perennial flowers for their own property at a subsidized cost. Rain barrels are also available at a wholesale price. In 2016, approximately 1,000 residents purchased 1,110 trees and shrubs, 3,485 wildflowers and 198 rain barrels. Tree planting initiatives like these, in combination with natural tree canopy growth has helped Richmond Hill’s tree canopy to increase substantially since 2010. Based on the Town’s land area of 10,008 hectares (excluding water), Richmond Hill’s urban tree canopy increased from 24.5% in 2010 to approximately 29.1% in 2016 (2,912 hectares in total). This significant tree canopy increase can, in part, be attributed to Richmond Hill having a fairly “young” tree canopy which has developed over the past decade on residential streets, as well as in areas like the Elgin Mills Cemetery. In addition, new trees that have been planted through restoration efforts within the Town’s park and open space system and in the Oak Ridge Corridor Conservation Reserve have notably increased canopy coverage, particularly in areas previously without tree cover. For information about the 2017 Healthy Yards Program and other upcoming tree planting events, visit RichmondHill.ca. For details about other 2016 natural environment achievements, contact Ann Marie Farrugia, Manager, Natural Environment at 905-771-5509.

Richmond Hill Staff Raise More Than $60,000 for United Way of Toronto & York Region

Every year, Richmond Hill staff show their support for the United Way by participating in a variety of initiatives to raise funds for the organization. In 2016, staff introduced a pancake breakfast and juried baking competition in addition to past events such as the payroll deduction program and silent auctions. This culminated in staff presenting a cheque in the amount of $62,537.99 to United Way representatives Gordon Shand and Marc Keohane. The overall region-wide campaign raised a record $102 million, which is the highest achievement to date and the largest United Way campaign in the world. The funds will directly benefit many local agencies in Richmond Hill and the GTA that offer essential programs to the community. To learn more about the United Way of Toronto & York Region, visit UnitedwayTYR.com. For more information about Richmond Hill’s 2016 United Way Campaign, contact Richmond Hill United Way Campaign Chair Ana Bassios at 905-771-2417.

Richmond Hill’s Youth Activities are Platinum Level!

Richmond Hill has been recognized for its commitment to providing recreational opportunities for youth with Platinum Level status through Play Works’ Youth Friendly Community Award program. This program acknowledges the great work that communities are doing to ensure their youth have continuous access to a diversity of ‘play’. The Town and other community organizations in Richmond Hill offer a consistent and varied mix of play opportunities for youth including recreation, sports, arts, drama, dance and civic engagement. Platinum Level status means that Richmond Hill met all sixteen of the youth friendly criteria. Previously Richmond Hill obtained a Bronze Level (2006) and Gold Level (2011) status. For more information, contact Lauren Steckley, Manager of Recreation Programs, at 905-787-1441, ext. 224.

Richmond Hill to Celebrate Youth May 1 to 7

Iman Tajadod and Aqeel Assan-Lebbe, co-chairs of Richmond Hill’s Youth Action Committee (YAC), delivered a presentation to Council outlining the group’s recent accomplishments and upcoming event schedule. YAC is comprised of a group of Richmond Hill residents in grades six to 12 who provide staff and Council with advice and input on programs and services for youth in the community. The presentation outlined the many events the committee has been involved with over the past year including hosting the Halloween Howl, participating in the Santa Claus Parade, as well as partnering with local young artists in Hill After Dark. Council also proclaimed May 1 to 7 as Youth Week in Richmond Hill. In partnership with YAC, a number of fun and engaging activities are planned in celebration of Richmond Hill’s youth. Activities include a computer workshop, Iron Chef and movie night, Cake Boss event, a kickboxing clinic, a video game clinic and more. The group also announced that they will be hosting the annual Future Leaders in YACtion (FLY) Leadership Conference on June 3 where students will get the chance to learn from the experiences and stories of renowned speakers with diverse backgrounds, including business, science and human studies. For more information, contact Lauren Steckley, Manager of Recreation Programs, at 905-787-1441, ext. 224.

The next Committee of the Whole Meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 1 at 4:30 p.m. and the next Council Meeting is Monday, May 8, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. Both meetings will be held in Council Chambers.