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July 2011 - News & Events

"To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure* is the most perfect refreshment."
- Jane Austen
Photo by: ScoopPhotog
Made in the Shade - A View from the Understory (ZooWoods, Toronto)
Well it's beginning to look a lot like...summer! Take a respite from the hot rays of the sun and think of how much cooler and more relaxed you would be sitting idly in the shade. Ignore Leo Buscaglia, "Dr. Love", the author, motivational speaker and professor who quoted: "Don't smother each other. No one can grow in the shade." Instead, drink in the deep shades of the understory with Paul Heydon and his cast of shady characters who are only too happy to eke out a living under the protective forest canopy. Get the real story about the understory in this behind the greens tour of ...
The Understory - The Forgotten Forest Layer with Understory Teller: Paul Heydon
North York Civic Centre, Council Chambers, 5100 Yonge St., Toronto
Wednesday July 6th, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Hosts: LEAF with East Don Parkland Partners and NANPS

Paul Heydon, NANPSter, engaging biologist, native plant expert and owner & proprietor of Grow Wild! will be our guide on a visual journey through the mysterious forest understory. Get a glimpse of the beautiful and unique life forms that make up this delicate layer of the forest, and walk away with practical ideas about native plants suited to the shadier areas of your own yard. Free. Registration
Door Prize: LEAF Native Garden Kit (perennials, shrubs and suggested garden designs) $125 value.
* verdure = flourishing green vegetation or its colour; a condition of freshness or healthy growth
More understory stories - Cedar Valley Park Pull 'n' Plant!
Sunday, July 10th, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. (rain or shine)
S. side of Raymerville Dr., just W. of Snider Dr., Markham

Come join the Friends of Cedar Valley community action group supporting biodiversity in Markham to Pull some invasive species weeds OUT of the ground or to PUT native species IN the ground! The alien seeds are almost ready to pop so we have to move fast! Multiple options are available: plant wildflowers (in a designated area), pull garlic mustard, spread native grass seed in prepared areas, or come check it out and give moral support! Dress appropriately (including gloves). BYOTools, if you have them – small shovel, trowels, weed pullers, pruners. Please email for more information or to confirm your attendance. Hope to see you there!
An Overstory of Sorts
If you live in the Keswick area, we have the perfect project for you. The folks at the Maskinonge River Recovery Project (MRRP) need help with a problematic native plant butterfly garden installed in 2009 with some students of Keswick High's Environmental Club (E-Council). The usual suspects are the culprits: invasives moving in (particularly thistles), disrespect by way of vandalism and littering, and native plants in need of assistance. MRRP has a willing group of students who wish to help, the school, and support from the Town of Georgina. The students have raised a substantial amount of money to support this project through a live, potted Christmas tree fundraiser. So, there is a keen desire to make the garden a show-piece in Keswick. How many projects have all the pieces in place? They have the money, volunteers, support, and a desire for greatness. They just need the Overstory – the Overseer, Champion or Mentor for the project. Please contact: Andee Pelan, Maskinonge River Recovery Project Coordinator, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority.
All Stories can apply from across North America
NANPS is looking for your photos of native plants, including native plantings in parks to be used for non-nefarious purposes, i.e., NANPS website, plant database, and future publications. Contact
Plant suggestions are also needed for the website "Plant of the Month" spot.
And we are still searching for more North American addresses of related groups for a mass mailing of the 25th Anniversary issue of the Blazing Star. Please send.
EVENTS
Some of these dates are closer than they appear. Loads of events are listed on the calendar, so we are only highlighting some of them. Please visit the Scoop Calendar for the full details and itinerary. Also check the NANPS website under Excursions and Restorations.
July 1 
Native Acer Species Day
July 5 
Hunter's Point Wildlife Park Wildflower Planting, Richmond Hill
July 6 
The Understory - The Forgotten Forest Layer, Toronto
July 10 
Cedar Valley Park Pull 'n' Plant, Markham
It's never too early to think of worthy candidates for NANPS awards, gathering plants for donations for the plant sale at the AGM and seeds for the Seed Exchange. Keep these dates in mind while you sip on cool mint juleps in the shade.
July 31 
Nomination deadline for NANPS Garden/Restoration Awards
Sept. 1 
Nomination deadline for NANPS Volunteer of the Year Award
Sept. 24 
NANPS Tour of Markham
Oct. 22 
NANPS AGM
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