Some of the Campus Roots club in the field (photo: Campus Roots)

Last summer, a group of environmentally minded students at University of Toronto, Mississauga (UTM) started a new club, Campus Roots.  Seeing the need for a campus club focused on naturalization efforts, they started working in partnership with Evergreen to host tree planting days, invasive species removal and more.  To get students outside and engaged, they also plan fun events like nature walks, workshops and tours.  We recently spoke with one of the student leaders, Angie Sanchez.

Why volunteer? I always tell people it’s a great way to meet people, to network.  I’ve become so much more aware and been able to help others get outside and connected to nature.  I like the way we can initiate a project and then make it reality.

What’s been your most memorable project so far? Last spring, we tackled our biggest project yet, a Butterfly Habitat Enhancement Project.  We planted two species of butterfly-friendly plants, Joe Pye weed and swamp milkweed, in an area that already had other attractive plants like dogwoods.  It’s also pretty cool when in only two hours of invasive-species removal, we can protect dozens of trees.

What have you learned through your volunteering? We’ve been learning so much as we go – I can now identify species as I walk around campus and am pretty good at looking things up when I’m not sure!  Evergreen has also helped teach us a lot and given us many practical ideas.  Being one of the leaders, I’ve learned so much about working with people and about leadership.

On getting people involved: On the one hand, I’ve been surprised by how much people want to help out – after they’ve come to one event, they often want to come back.  They are so amazed at all the natural space on our campus that many don’t notice as they rush between classes. The biggest challenge is getting people motivated to come out for the first time.  

What’s ahead for Campus Roots? This fall, we’re hoping to pick from some of the apple and pear trees around campus .  Over the winter,  we’re going to be planning for even more next year – maybe some fruit-bearing shrubs.