Reflections of Havergal: 1994-2019

be done to improve diversity and safety … [and] Jose and the Havergal community planted seedlings in the ravine. Later that year, the Class of 1978 dedicated its 40th reunion activities during Celebration Saturday to planting more trees in the Lisa Hardie Woodland Trail and surrounding ravine. In total, Jose and the Havergal community planted 400 trees on campus, [with] 130 different species. The newly planted trees would encourage biodiversity, prevent soil erosion and develop a habitat for birds and wildlife. Over two years, those working on the project planted more than 300 trees of 29 Carolinian species, some of which are endangered. Jose sourced the trees and guided the plantings in different quadrants of the ravine, in accordance with the stewardship plan. After the mass tree planting in 2008–09, the Burke Brook Stewardship Project was put on hold for a few years to allow the newly planted trees to take root. In 2011, the Grade 6 class decided to honour Havergal by building an outdoor classroom as their Junior School graduation gift to the school. Former Junior School faculty member Amy Joliat’s father, Mr. Herringer, generously donated his time and energy to build the outdoor classroom. The Hardie family was touched by this gift and happy to see their visions of the Lisa Hardie Woodland Trail coming to life… [I]n the spring of 2015, Jose and his team returned to Havergal to plant 590 specimens of 73 species along the Lisa Hardie Trail.

Over the coming years, the project developed in impressive ways. As outlined in rich detail on Havergal’s website in 2008, the school: brought in certified arborist (and past parent) Jose Rubio Lazo ... He observed that the section of the Burke Brook ravine that resides on Havergal’s campus was lacking in biodiversity. A group of students, faculty and staff working with Jose and the Institute envisioned broadening the tree species on campus and bringing native boreal Carolinian forestry to the Burke Brook ravine … Jose completed a survey of the ravine area, identifying existing trees and quadrants where work needed to

The Lisa Hardie Trail Jose Rubio Lazo, arborist

In the years that have followed the launch of the woodlands project, Havergal has continued to develop the campus in line with its principles of stewardship, but the school has also come to understand the educational possibilities the grounds present. In the latter half of the 2011–12 school year, Andrea Loyola, a teacher in the Science Department at the

The Institute poster for the annual Spring Planting event in the Burke Brook.

60  HAVERGAL COLLEGE