Aurora Community Arboretum Inc
[  Suggest an Update |  Volunteer Opportunities |  Suggest Volunteer Opportunity ] Record #: AUR0129 Last Modified: 22 Apr 2013 Last Full Update: 22 Apr 2013
Record Details
Areas Served	Aurora
Office Phone	905-727-6474
E-Mail	membersandvolunteers@auroraarboretum.ca
Website	www.auroraarboretum.ca
Description	Care of trees and of the valley area between Aurora Town Hall and the Aurora Leisure Complex, extending from as far south as Wellington St. to as far north as St. John's Sideroad.  Promotion of the area as a natural resource for walking and other forms of passive recreation, and for nature appreciation and education.  The non-profit Aurora Community Arboretum objectives are:  1. To establish and maintain an arboretum in Aurora.  2. To establish an educational program which makes known the features and values of this natural and cultural asset to the residents of Aurora.    HISTORY  The Aurora Arboretum began about 1995 with individuals planting caliper trees as memorials. These plantings are located in the valley of the East Holland River, just west of the Aurora Town Hall. Planting of the memorial trees (as of 2007 called Commemorative Trees) is done under Adopt-a-Park Agreements with the Town of Aurora.    Arboretum Directors have worked with the Town of Aurora, The Region of York and the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority to prepare a more ambitious project encompassing the whole river valley from Wellington Street to St. John's Sideroard. In 2007 The Aurora Community Arboretum Inc. and the Town of Aurora have agreed to a 10 year, Adopt-A-Park agreement to execute the Master Plan for the Arboretum.    On its way northward to Lake Simcoe, the East Holland River wanders through a 100 acre (40 hectare) flood plain between the Aurora Sideroad (Wellington Street) and St. John's Sideroad. Like much of the land in York Region, this was forested land before the settlers came. It is the aim of the Aurora Community Arboretum to help restore some of that former grandeur.    Part of the area is dedicated to formal sports facilities, part is reserved for semi-formal planting of specimen trees and the remainder is devoted to naturalized forest, meadow and wetland zones.. The area serves over 50,000 residents of Aurora. In 50 years, when our current work will be well established, the Arboretum will be serving an area population base of 100,000. It will be their jewel, their urban oasis.
Dates	Wednesday: Morning, April to September  Saturday: Morning, April to September    The Aurora Community Arboretum "Community Planting Day" is Saturday May 4 starting at 10am (see website for details)    Work and planting days are most Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout April to September.   Email membersandvolunteers@auroraarboretum.ca for more details.
Accessibility	Not Accessible
Languages	English
Eligibility	Ages: 16 year(s) - 99 year(s)
Application	Membership application form is available to print on the website. For more information, email membersandvolunteers@auroraarboretum.ca
Funding	City / Town ; Sale of Goods
Subjects	Environment ; Gardening
Primary Contact	Nancee Webb, Volunteer Coordinator, Aurora Community Arboretum; Phone: 905-727-6474; Email: membersandvolunteers@auroraarboretum.ca
Primary Executive	Irene Clement, Chair, Aurora Community Arboretum; Phone: 905-727-3492; Email: membersandvolunteers@auroraarboretum.ca
Volunteer Coordinator	Nancee Webb, Volunteer Coordinator; Phone: 905-727-6474; Email: nwebb@rogers.com