On April 30th, 2025, I experienced a little bit of magic.
From organized chaos, a baby urban forest—a micro-forest—was born. Right before my eyes. In hours. At Brian W. Fleming Public School in Mississauga. And it wasn’t the first time.
In fact, it was the 70th time a Southern Ontario school implemented ACER’s Planting for Change (P4C) Day since the P4C program was launched in 2008.
Here’s what happened.
275 students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 5, teachers, helpers, and administrators took direct, personal climate action. Educated, guided and supported by ACER experts Sadia Butts and Alice Casselman, we all learned about the science, forestry careers, native trees, shrubs and invasive species. It was an opportunity to connect with Mother Nature and each other. And to help shape a better future.
The school bell rang and the action began. The bell rang again, and as one grade was whisked away, another skipped in. Smiling, happy, busy little people were everywhere. Some planted trees, shrubs and flowers. Some mulched, some measured. Some watered. Everyone had a role. A “sprinkle, sprinkle” here, as one beaming child put it, became a “sparkle, sparkle” there. They made it their own – the perfect blend of function and fun, camaraderie, creativity and teamwork.
Then … Voilà. At the end of the day, like magic, the mountain of mulch provided by the City of Mississauga became a protective blanket, and the simple school lawn a planted, treed learning lab; a very special place to be nurtured, measured and monitored by students, treasured and enjoyed by all for years to come.
It was a learning and growth experience that none of us who participated will forget. And a new day for local climate resilience.
Thank you, ACER.
Wendy Bodnoff—Director, ACER Board
