Tree Story: Peter

If you’ve been following our progress on Facebook or Twitter, then you’ve already met Peter, one of our dedicated TreesCount volunteers. He’s been a regular at our data collection sessions, always going above and beyond to offer advice and bring extra tools, even constructing his own hypsometer (a device used for estimating tree height).

 

Peter pauses for a picture during data collection.

TreesCount is only Peter’s latest project in a long list of contributions he’s made to the community and the environment. In addition to his property here in Hamilton, he owns an 87 acre farm in Cayuga. Several years ago, he planted 5,000 trees on a large portion of his farm as a reforestation project. Unfortunately, the area experienced a six week drought, and virtually all the new seedlings did not survive. Undeterred, he recently planted the same area with over 5000 trees of various native species. He’s hoping that this time around, the weather will cooperate and a new forest will begin to emerge.

Peter is also on the volunteer Board of Directors of the Ontario Woodlot Association. The non-for-profit organization provides guidance and support to private owners of woodlots to ensure that private forests are managed in a sustainable manner that contributes to our society, environment and economy. For more information, visit http://www.ont-woodlot-assoc.org/.

With expertise earned while sitting on Hamilton’s Urban Design Committee, Peter is able to offer lots of insight and ideas on how to build cities in a way that is environmentally friendly. Peter believes that better urban planning and more pedestrian-friendly neighbourhoods are essential for reducing carbon emissions. He described to me his vision of developers building small communities such as Westdale rather than ever more “monoculture” subdivisions of single family homes.  They would include essential services (grocery stores, doctor’s offices, senior care facilities) within walking distance of residential areas instead of being set off in separate blocks.  This would reduce our need for cars and promote greater accessibility for everyone. What a great idea!

I’ve learned so much from chatting with Peter and hearing his tree stories. TreesCount has proved a wonderful way to not only learn about our urban forest, but also connect with passionate, intelligent individuals that are working to make Hamilton a greater, greener city.
---Mara