It is no secret that Toronto is heating up and we are breaking historical heat records. Urban heat will only get worse. That is why we need more trees, and to protect the existing trees in our private yards. Trees cool the environment.

We can help slow down climate change one person at a time with more education and communication. Your actions make a difference. Start a garden, plant a tree, help your neighbours protect a tree, harvest rainwater. Little steps can add up to big impacts. 

The housing crises and food shortages are not just happening to humans, animals are suffering too. You can give them water in the garden, and grow foods for them like sunflowers.

Naturalizing private gardens and growing food for our families makes a difference. It is easy to grow pollinator gardens that provide food for birds, bees, and woodland animals as well.

If you would like to convert some of your grass to garden simply put down newspapers or clean cardboard in the area of the new garden. Then and drop soil on top, or mulch. The grass or weeds under the new garden will be smothered by the paper without sunlight after three months the grass will become compost for the garden. Next spring your garden is ready to plant.