Toronto’s ecological diversity is being safeguarded by a team dedicated to preserving the city’s green spaces. Ray Vendrig, the Urban Forestry manager for the City of Toronto, oversees the Tree Seed Diversity Program. This initiative focuses on collecting seeds from plant species that have thrived in Toronto’s climate and environment, enhancing their resilience against climate change, pests, and diseases.
The program targets plant species present since European settlement, such as sugar, silver, and red maples, along with various berry plants and shrubs. Maintaining plant diversity in natural spaces is crucial for ecosystem balance, as invasive species can disrupt the local environment by displacing native flora and fauna.
In partnership with Forests Canada, the 10-year seed diversity program aims to create a robust collection of native plants to support restoration efforts in Toronto’s green areas. Mark McDermid, a seed and stock specialist with Forests Canada, emphasized the importance of long-term partnerships for such projects due to seed maturation times and seasonal sample availability.
McDermid highlighted that seeds can take up to four years from collection to be processed for planting. Toronto’s collaboration with Forests Canada sets an example for other cities, with McDermid expressing hope for similar partnerships to emerge in the future.