Architecture Building Planters Growing Again

DAS Chair Lisa Landrum, shop manager Jordan So, and Architectural Science students Aanya Amin and Laila Kirton were among those donning gloves and wielding shovels to plant native shrubs in the tiered planters. As Aanya remarked, “Having a hands-on experience to contribute to the growth of our campus space was exciting!” Laila added, “It was both educational and a lot of fun!”

Also joining was Jannette Porter, TMU Landscape Architecture graduate from 1995, who worked with the City of Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation for many years and now runs her own landscape design and gardening business, The Buzz On Plants.

Beyond beautifying the entrance, these native shrubs boost biodiversity, and contribute to a healthier campus environment. Species included Black Chokeberry, Alternate Leaf Dogwood, Gray Dogwood, Choke Cherry, Fragrant Sumac, Flowering Raspberry, Common Elderberry, and Nannyberry. A total of 110 shrubs were planted at two sites: the Architecture Building and the Centre of Urban Innovation.

According to Jasmine Thompson, Community Outreach and Education Coordinator, TRCA’s Toronto Tree Cover Project, funded by the City of Toronto's Urban Forestry Grants and Incentives Program, is an ongoing project that focuses on increasing the canopy cover in Toronto. They accomplish this by encouraging community members and property owners to plant native trees and shrubs on private land. TRCA is actively increasing Toronto’s canopy by planting on residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional lands. These programs allow participants to help make their communities greener and learn about urban forests and tree stewardship.

The event was part of Earth Month celebrations and part of a broader initiative by the Urban Water TMU Student Leadership Committee (SLC). As in early 2024, the Urban Water TMU SLC spearheaded a collaboration with TRCA to green the TMU campus! The collaboration included applying for funding through City of Toronto and working with FMD to select the locations and timing to plant native trees and shrubs. In September 2024, the first planting took place which resulted in 102 trees and shrubs around Kerr Hall, and the Monetary Times Buildings. On May 26th, the second planting took place resulting in another 110 shrubs around the Building of Architecture and the Centre for Urban Innovation. Urban Water and TRCA are planning other strategic initiatives to engage youth and educate the public around the importance of green canopy in urban settings.  

Special thanks to TMU facilitating team: Angela Murphy, Director of Urban Water TMU; Wyatt Weatherson, TMU PhD student and President of the Urban Water Student Leadership Committee; and Garth Poppleton, TMU FMD Manager.