18: Connecting Communities Through Green Spaces with Carolyn Scotchmer

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now .” Green spaces strengthen our neighbourhoods, connecting us to nature and to each other. In this episode, I’m joined by Carolyn Scotchmer, Executive Director of TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF). Carolyn has spent more than a decade supporting community development through urban greening and community gardening initiatives across Canada. Today, she leads TD FEF’s national granting programs — including TD Tree Days , which for the past 15 years has brought families, volunteers, municipalities, not-for-profits, and Indigenous communities together to plant over half a million trees and help create healthier, more connected neighbourhoods. Takeaways What it means to build a career rooted in environmental stewardship and community impact How green spaces support health, well-being, biodiversity, and community resilience How collaborations between corporations, not-for-profits, municipalities, and Indigenous communities bring projects like TD Tree Days to life The joy of volunteering together — a fun, hands-on way to build connections with neighbours, family, and the nature that surrounds us Resources TD Tree Days TD Friends of the Environment Foundation Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.