One member of a local organization is being recognized for influencing Guelph's tree canopy and the community's passion for trees.
The Guelph Urban Forest Friends (GUFF) have announced Mortiz Sanio as the winner of the Henry Kock award for 2022. An award presentation will take place during the Arb Expo at the Guelph Arboretum on Sept. 10 at noon and all are welcomed to attend.
Sanio, the program coordinator for Trees for Guelph, has led numerous volunteer tree planting events teaching youth and adults how to plant and care for a tree. He also taught residents to appreciate the role trees and other plants play within the natural environment.
A release from GUFF said Sanio has a passion for working with elementary and high school students and connecting them with the natural world through native plant gardening. Volunteer-planted patches of forests can be found across Guelph, including in school grounds and public parks. On school grounds, classes are actively involved in planting and learning about the trees, shrubs and wildflowers that make up these forest patches.
During his 14 years as program coordinator, Sanio also mastered a method of planting trees and native plants together from locally collected seeds, resulting in a dense and diverse community.
“That’s the fun, that’s the excitement as they mature and truly express themselves. I learned so much from them and watched what the plants were doing. Tightly packed they work it out, but it can only be done when they are young and grow together,” said Sanio in the release.
Named after a former GUFF member who passed away in 2005, the Henry Kock award is given to community members who embody wisdom, integrity and mentorship in their stewardship of trees.
Since 1991, Trees for Guelph has been responsible for planting over 150,000 trees and woody plants in the city over the past couple of decades. To learn more, go to guffguelph.ca.
