Tree Planters: A podcast about change for a better world

In this episode, we speak with Sandy Agnew and Lynne Melnyk about the unveiling of the Agnew–Melnyk Nature Reserve—one of the newest protected properties within the Minesing to Matchedash Connected Corridor. This 39.5-acre reserve, donated to the Couchiching Conservancy in 2024, protects a rich mix of grassland meadow, a section of Hogg Creek, and conifer swamp, all forming part of a critical wild...

In this episode, we speak with Theresa McClenaghan, Executive Director of the Canadian Environmental Law Association, for a clear, accessible overview of how Ontario’s drinking-water protection framework came to be — and where it may be heading. We begin with the events in Walkerton, outlining what happened, why it mattered, and how that tragedy prompted a fundamental rethinking of drinking-water...

 In this episode of The Tree Planters Podcast , we return to the Red Earth Gallery at St. Paul’s Centre to explore Phase 3 of the Art of Reconciliation project. Created during 2021–2023, this round unfolds against an intense period in Canadian public life: the discovery of unmarked graves at former residential schools, the establishment of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and the sha...

In this episode of The Tree Planters Podcast, we return to St. Paul’s Centre to explore Phase 2 of the Art of Reconciliation project — a stage shaped by the artists themselves as they asked, “Where are you now in your personal reconciliation process?”  This round, created between 2015 and 2018, brought together Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists whose works reflect on truth, listening, and shar...

On this episode of Tree Planters, we visit the inspiring reconciliation-art initiative Call To Action #83 Simcoe County, curated by retired educator and multi-mode artist Mary Lou Meiers. The project brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists in Simcoe County to respond collaboratively to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 83rd Call to Action – namely, “A strategy for I...

How can watersheds be used to strengthen our communities, enhance our resilience to the impacts of climate change, and provide the foundations for a sustainable, thriving economy? Support the show

As Canada marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we reflect on the commitments that remain unfinished and the future we hope to build together. In this episode, we speak with Jeff Monague—educator, storyteller, and former Chief of Beausoleil First Nation—about the progress on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and what reconciliation truly means in practice. This c...

Barrie’s mayor has declared a state of emergency over the city’s growing homeless encampments—a crisis that’s been building for years while governments at every level have largely failed to respond. Is this declaration a genuine step toward solutions, or will it shift the burden onto those least able to carry it: the people already living on the margins? Support the show

The Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition has a new Executive Director. We sit down with Jonathan Scott to discuss his vision for the organization, his outlook on the future of advocacy for Lake Simcoe, and how he believes economic and environmental priorities can be balanced in the years ahead. Support the show

What's happening with the impending review of the Greenbelt?  The Greenbelt Act requires the province to conduct a review of the Greenbelt plan every 10 years. The last one was in 2015, so, while nothing has been announced yet, it is expected that the province will conduct a review in the coming months. Show links: The Tyee: Robert Macfarlane’s New Book Asks, ‘Is a River Alive?’ Canoing acros...

Ray Tomalty is an expert in urban sustainability and the founder of Smart Cities Research Services. He’s worked with cities across Canada and beyond to help design communities that are more livable, walkable, and resilient. In this episode, Ray helps us unpack the idea of the 15-minute city—where it’s working, what it really means, and why some of the controversy around it misses the mark. Support...

We talk with Ted about the province's proposed transfer of a portion of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park to the town.  Ted is a resident of Wasaga Beach and member of the Wasaga Beach Climate Action Team. Support the show

The Honourable Kathleen Wynne is a Canadian educator, community organizer, and former politician best known as Ontario’s 25th Premier—the first woman and openly gay person to hold the office. Long before entering electoral politics, Wynne was deeply engaged in grassroots organizing in her North Toronto community. She advocated for public education, equitable urban planning, and inclusive policy th...

Dr. Alison Meek is a history professor at King’s University College at Western University, where she studies conspiracy theories, cults, extremism and misinformation.  Alison brings an engaging and thoughtful perspective to how beliefs take root and spread, and what they can tell us about society today. Support the show

Jacob is a farmer, and advocate for farming as a means to increase economic and environmental resilience in local communities. We talk about some ideas for how this can happen, and how young people can be supported in contributing to their communities through sustainable agricultural practices. Learn more about the National Farmers Foundation here . Support the show

Once a month we do a mailbag episode, where each of us, along with a guest, shares an issue for discussion. We don't know about each other's issue until they present it during the podcast, keeping it lively and interesting! Have an issue that you'd like us to address? Let us know, and if it's selected, we'll invite you on the show! Support the show

Claire is stepping down as Executive Director of the Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition, and we chat about her experience at the forefront of grassroots environmental advocacy in central Ontario, including how the landscape has changed and what the future might hold. Support the show

The Oak Ridges Moraine is a gem of Ontario's natural heritage, providing a source of headwaters to countless rivers and streams on the north shore of Lake Ontario. In the late '80s and early 90's, a grassroots movement to protect the area emerged. Debbe Crandall and Robert Brown, of Save the Oak Ridges Moraine (STORM) talk about how this came about, and the challenges today facing e...

Taylor Nicole has organized protests against the Ford government's Bill 5, a bill that will allow the government to, in effect, ignore environmental assessments in designated locations, and prohibit public consultation. We get into the details of the Bill and what it could mean for Ontario. Eco Guardians of Ontario - Stop Bill 5 Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1051925256910873...

There's a difference between living somewhere, and really living there. We explore some of that with Virginia. Support the show

David has decades of experience in leadership roles in the non-profit sector, including as the founding Executive Director of the Chigamik Community Health Centre, as the National Director of Development for the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS), and as Executive Director of the United Way of Greater Simcoe County.  We speak about his experience in these positions, and how they've...

Margaret talks to former Canadian Environment Minister, Catherine McKenna, about the challenges of climate change, political polarization, and her experience as a woman in politics. Support the show

This month we have Claire Malcolmson, of the Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition, joining us. We talk about health of Lake Simcoe, the strange silence from this government on reviewing the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan (now several years overdue), among other things. Oh, and it's RLSC's 20th birthday! Tickets for their November 23rd celebration are available here . Show links: Lake Simcoe Protect...

Our October episode focuses on the scandal that was the Greenbelt land take-outs, the public backlash, and the fall out. There is the immediate problems around how land was given to developers, and there are more pervasive problems around democratic accountability, around how our governments make decisions, and about the attitudes of those entrusted with making decisions on all of our behalf. All...

This is a recording of the public forum we held, addressing the assault by this government on the Greenbelt. Featuring: Jeff Monague, former Chief of the Beausoleil First Nation on Christian Island, former Director of Treaty Research with the Anishnabek (Union of Ontario Indians) and a Canadian Forces Veteran; David Crombie, former mayor of Toronto and former chair of Greenbelt Council; Tim Gray,...