York Regional Forest marks 100th anniversary
It’s been a century since York Regional Forest was established and the Region kicked off a year-long celebration with a ceremonial tree planting and forest walk.
A sugar maple, white pine and white birch were planted on behalf of York Region, the Province of Ontario and the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation at the Hollidge Tract at the Bill Fisch Forest Stewardship and Education Centre in Whitchurch-Stouffville on Friday, Sept. 20.
The species were selected to symbolize growth and longevity of the forest and its importance to York Region communities. The ceremony opened with smudging, a drum song, Indigenous prayer and tobacco offering. In the context of tree planting, offering tobacco acknowledges the land’s sacredness and life being planted.
Celebrate National Forest Week and mark the forest’s anniversary on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hollidge Tract at 16389 Hwy. 48. Activities include guided trail walks, tours of the Bill Fisch Forest Stewardship and Education Centre and a special exhibit commemorating 100 years of the forest’s legacy. Kids can enjoy face painting, arts and crafts, and horse-drawn wagon rides, while adults can talk to forestry staff and partners to learn about the past, present and future of the forest. The event is suitable for all ages.
Fall Colours and Slippery Critters for those aged 10 year and up will be held Saturday, Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to noon, also at Hollidge Tract. Learn how fish populations are sampled and discover more about the many other critters that live in the stream. The event is presented in partnership with Ontario Streams.
Visit york.ca/ForestEvents to learn more about these and other events.
Caroline Mulroney, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Francophone Affairs and MPP for York-Simcoe, and Donna Big Canoe, Chief, Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation, gathered with members of York Regional Council, including Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson and Whitchurch-Stouffville Mayor Iain Lovatt, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of York Regional Forest. Photo courtesy of the Regional Municipality of York.