One of the things that has sustained me during the pandemic, which recently marked a grim first anniversary, is regularly getting outside. Whether for runs, walks, or merely strolls, on most days, I’ve been able to commune with nature, and that has kept me sane. Well, relatively speaking.
Recently, a few days teased us with hints of things to come, and I found myself giving in to serious spring fever – covid be damned! I started observing early signs of renewed life. The first snowdrops. Green shoots kissing lawns through Leaside. Loud, insistent bird calls.
It seems I’m not the only one feeling the warm embrace of nature. Leaside Life publisher Lorna Krawchuk in her column this month sings the praises of Leaside’s vast tree canopy. She’s been spending time looking up – and in some cases, with the venerable trees throughout the neighbourhood, looking way up. Leaside is home to a vibrant collection of trees, from the Ontario Heritage White Oak in front of St. Cuthbert’s Church, planted originally beside a Lea family orchard, to the London plane trees with their distinctive bark. You can admire a very fine specimen kitty-corner from Leaside United Church. You don’t have to be a tree-hugger to fall in love with Leaside’s tree canopy…but it doesn’t hurt.
Another Leasider with spring firmly on the brain is Suzanne Sharples, who recently became a Ranger for the David Suzuki Foundation’s Butterflyway Project. You may have already noticed the colourful Butterfly Canoe in front of the library. Now Suzanne is appealing for volunteers to help expand the project to establish pollinator patches in Leaside. You’ll meet this energetic volunteer in Janis Fertuck’s story.
Spring is here.
We’re all ready
