If you would like to be informed about urban forest issues in Ontario, click on the NEWS link.

Click on Tree Whispers from the OUFC and also check out the EVENTS page. It's a great way to find out about upcoming events and workshops as well.

A Farewell Tribute to Bill Morsink

Last month, the tree world lost a friend and hero.
After a short battle with cancer, Bill Morsink passed away on March 23.

Bill's career as a professional forester was impressive and wide ranging. As a student
at the Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto in 1965, Bill worked at the guidance
of Erik Jorgensen and the term 'Urban Forestry" was actually developed as a result
of Bill's study of municipal tree disease management. Bill remained at the faculty and
taught his specialty subject Dendrology which is tree identification reflecting on
trees in winter condition to test his students.

In 1974 Bill moved on the be the municipal forester in Windsor, Toronto and
North York till his retirement in 1995. Bill has a special interest in
the Carolinian Forest and could names the locations of many rare trees
including the Cucumber Magnolia.

Bill also had a love of Rhododendrons and volunteered his time to the
Toronto Region Rhododendron & Horticultural Society.

In 2003 The Ontario Urban Forest Council offered to publish Urban Forest
Scrapbook II authored by Bill Morsink, a unique collection of urban forestry stories.
This being completed Bill joined as a director of OUFC and served as President for
2 terms, 2006 and 2007.

As President of the OUFC he continued to champion various urban tree issues -
heritage seed preservation and planning for climate change were two he was
particularly passionate about.

On the OUFC board, Bill was a marvelous positive voice, always supporting those at
the table working within their own urban tree communities in the Province.
He had an encylopedic knowledge of trees which he freely shared. Bill was also
willing to do whatever was required - including toiling over the financial books,
which he did without complaint and only out of a sense of duty!

We will miss Bill profoundly, and send our deep sympathies to his family and friends.

From the CBC Archives, Bill Morsink in Windsor tackling Dutch Elm Disease.

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We would like to thank everyone for helping us deliver a successful Conference and AGM!
"Tree Preservation and the Planning Process: Moving Ahead"
Click here for conference program.
Click here for conference presentations.

Our Mission

The Ontario Urban Forest Council (OUFC) is a non-profit group that works to advance the conservation and maintenance of urban forests across Ontario. We also provide technical support for groups addressing urban forestry issues and offer various workshops on a wide range of topics. We work in partnership with all sectors, bringing together professionals, academics, industry, government and the general public in a multi- stakeholder approach to urban forest conservation.

Objectives

To conserve the treed environment in and around urban areas.

To promote the improvement of environmental management by providing support to groups and individuals seeking guidance on urban forestry.

To provide opportunities for the public to learn about and appreciate urban forests.

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