News from 33 Division
Thirty-three Division now publishes a monthly Community Bulletin, which will keep you up to date with current division initiatives. The bulletins are delivered to libraries, supermarkets, E. P. Taylor Place, etc. by the Police Division volunteers. You can also access the information on the WEB see our Links page for instructions. You will be able to access the Community Bulletin and have the opportunity to sign up for the community alert system which notifies you of any serious crime happening in your area. Thirty-three Division’s “dialer system” which began last year for this same purpose, using the phone lines, is still suffering start-up pains and may not become functional for another year. Signing up for the e-mail alerts is the recommended method if you have internet access.

Seniors Safety Line 1-866-299-1011
A free, confidential resource for seniors suffering abuse,including physical, mental, sexual, neglect, and financial.

Community Connection
In the 416/647 area codes you can now dial 211 to reach our free and confidential multilingual line, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or visit 211Toronto.ca. Outside of Toronto, dial 416-397-4636 or click FindHelp.ca/. Click the 211 image for the 211 Community Connection: .
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Backyard Planting Program Takes Root in Toronto
Did you know that approximately 80% of Toronto’s urban trees are rooted in private property? This means that the City’s Urban Forestry Services section is responsible for only about 20% of our urban trees. The rest is up to private property owners!

A local, non-profit group called LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests) offers support to property owners through a subsidized Backyard Tree Planting Program.

The program offers backyard consultations with a certified arborist to select an appropriate tree and planting location for your yard. In addition to light, soil type and moisture conditions, LEAF consultants also consider present and future uses of the yard that may affect where a tree should be placed. Homeowner preferences are also important when determining what tree species best suits a yard since a happy tree owner will care for and protect that tree for years to come.

Backyard visits also provide educational opportunities for homeowners on related issues such as soil health, street tree planting and mature tree care. Toronto residents with adequate space in their backyard qualify for the program. Cost to homeowners ranges from $75-$125. In addition to the consultation and tree, this price includes the planting service as well. LEAF also works with schools and multi-units such as apartment buildings and co-ops.

In addition to backyard tree planting, LEAF also delivers a variety of native shrubs and perennials. These under story plants provide essential habitat for songbirds, butterflies and other urban wildlife. Property owners may choose to plant these in either their front or backyards.

For details on the program, visit www.leaftoronto.org or call 416-413-9244. You can also check out their list of upcoming LEAF events on the website.