GEOFFREY LITTLE

WRITER, @ MTLDEADWOOD

OVER THE past few years, Geoffrey Little has become increasingly worried about Montreal’s trees. “The urban forest is in pretty bad state,” says the 38-year-old, whose day job is editor-in-chief at Concordia University Press. “Many trees are spindly or damaged. A lot are dead. Some streets have no trees at all, just gaping holes.” So last spring, he took action, writing a letter to the mayor and councillors. When no one responded, he set up a Twitter account, @Mtldeadwood, posting photos of tree-related injustices. The account has become a hub for concerned citizens and tree lovers, and, as a result, a number of saplings have been planted. Now, Little wants to use the account to explore ways to better maintain the city’s trees.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

“Actions taken within small local environments can have important ramifications, so have confidence and work through any discouragement you might meet—from a storm to a bad neighbour to bureaucracy.”