Keeping London greener, forever

Header image for Interrobang article CREDIT: RANJINI CHAKRAVORTY
Londoners can help keep the city green by learning more about Nature in the City. Visit naturelondon.ca for more details.

This fall, when for the first time I drove into this city, my eyes were soothed by the greenery around me. I used to take long walks along the riverbanks in the lap of these mystifying forests.

Eventually, I got in touch with the Reforest London organization, whose volunteers attempt to save, protect and nurture the forests of London. Active volunteers, especially the elderly Londoners, have been disturbed by the fact that London is losing its status as the Forest City.

Nature London and the London Public Library organized the 10th season of the Nature in the City starting January 13. This six-part lecture series sheds light on London’s natural habitat, its forests, greenery and its indigenous species.

Nature and animal lovers will also enjoy learning about the diverse lifestyles of the vulnerable species and also the ones that are nearing extinction. Perhaps it’s your last chance to see them before they make their way into the history books.

Last fall, many environment lovers planted more than 350 native trees at the White Oaks Optimist Park, and the Interrobang got to talk to a few of the volunteers.

“I love the nature, the beauty of the colours around me,” said Mark Coleman, who has been an active volunteer at many such events. “I have been quite alarmed by the global warming at a seminar in the Western University half a decade back, when I was a student.”

Coleman has been associated with the Reforest London for the last four years. Each winter, informative events are arranged so that in the warmer months volunteers can help out in restoring greenery in the city.

Several students from Fanshawe College are also finding cause to save nature.

“I am an international student here, and I want to know [about] the nature and the environment out here [from] before,” said Ashish Singh Heer, a member of the Fanshawe Rotaract Club. “I am planning on attending the Nature in the City [in] 2015.”

Let’s make this our resolution for the New Year.

For more information about Nature in the City, you can visit naturelondon.ca or any of London’s public libraries near you.