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Greenbelt Foundation and Forests Canada celebrate planting of 750,000 native trees

May 28, 2026   ·   0 Comments

By Riley Murphy

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Greenbelt Foundation and Forests Canada came together at Albion Hills Conservation Park to celebrate their partnership, planting 750,000 native trees as part of the 1 Million Greenbelt Trees Program.

Since 2022, the non-profit Forests Canada and the Greenbelt Foundation have partnered to plant 750,000 trees in the Greenbelt region to “enhance near-urban and rural forest cover, increase biodiversity, improve water quality, and reduce flooding and extreme heat close to urban areas.”

And last Friday, they came together to celebrate the success of this partnership.

The 750,000 native trees are part of the 1 Million Greenbelt Trees Program, an initiative that came from the goal of “strengthening habitat connectivity, enhancing biodiversity, and reinforcing the natural integrity of the Greenbelt landscape.”

The trees planted through this partnership are said to sequester carbon, create new wildlife habitat, and improve erosion control and water quality, as well as providing numerous economic benefits to local communities.

Coming together on May 22, International Day for Biological Diversity, it was a fitting day to acknowledge the hard work of both organizations.

Still to come this year, Forests Canada announced it will plant another 250,000 native trees to help the foundation reach its one-million-tree milestone.

Standing in the Albion Hills Conservation Park in Caledon, the area will be the future home of some of the 250,000 trees to be planted this year. 

Those newly planted trees will join the millions already planted by Forests Canada throughout the Greenbelt region and in communities across the province.

“These millions of trees, while they are a number, they’re also contributing to the long-term goal for Forests Canada,” said Jessica Kaknevicius with Forests Canada. “Our charity is focused on conserving, restoring and growing Canada’s forests to sustain life and communities, and these trees are really contributing to that future forest and ensuring healthy, diverse, resilient forests for generations to come.”

Kaknevicius adds that when they plant these trees, not only are they growing forests that clean the air, protect the water and shelter wildlife, but also “creating spaces for future generations to learn, explore and find connection with the natural world right close to home.”

Since their partnership began in 2022, Kaknevicius said the 750,000 trees planted spanned over 510 project sites and 200 landowners and created 430 hectares of new forests.

But it’s not just the trees in the ground.

Forests Canada also considers seed, stock, planting partners, and monitoring to ensure that the trees contribute to resilient forests in the future.

She notes their partners include 30 different planting delivery agents and 10 nurseries that they work with in the Greenbelt.

“When we look at forests and trees, they provide hope. By restoring forests across landscapes, we can strengthen connectivity, resilience, and the ability of ecosystems to adapt and thrive, and all that equals hope,” said Kaknevicius. “At a time when many global challenges can feel complex and daunting, growing forests is a tangible and visible sign of hope. It is something people can point to and say, this makes a difference. Every seed planted, every hectare restored, is a step towards a healthier, more resilient, and more hopeful Ontario.”

Edward McDonnell, CEO with the Greenbelt Foundation, said that with the Greenbelt surrounding the largest population centres in the country, they often say one in four Canadians lives in or within 20 kilometres of the Greenbelt.

He adds that when it comes to growing populations and the intensification of climate change, they can use the asset of the greenbelt to help combine major urban centres with “all the incredible things the Greenbelt provides, in terms of water, agriculture, natural systems, green spaces, and recreational opportunities.”

McDonnell said it’s not one or the other, or a trade-off; both can coexist.

Years ago, he said, they worked with a range of conservation, agriculture, and environmental partners to take a broader look at the natural systems, cores, and connectivity in Southern Ontario. 

They came up with the idea and a strategy for an urban nature network, which identified the need to intensify tree coverage within and across the natural system.

“What we’ve been doing as part of the One Million Tree Program is looking at very focused

approaches to get the right tree, in the right place, for the right reason,” said McDonnell. “We’ve got to the 750,000 point, we are going to be working to the 1 million point, and we’re really excited to be working with all of you, and look forward to what comes after that.”

Michael Dehn, Mayor of the Town of Erin, said the initiative itself is about “more than just numbers.”

“By carefully selecting and planting native species, Forests Canada is actively building resilient habitats. These aren’t just beautiful landscapes, these are working ecosystems,” said Dehn. “The trees planted through this initiative are already getting to work, reducing flood risks in our communities, providing critical canopies to mitigate extreme heat, and capturing carbon to help us fight climate change.

“You’re not just planting trees, you’re planting resilience. You’re planting community health, and you’re planting a vibrant, sustainable future for generations.”

“This is stuff that’s going to be a legacy for the future,” said Regional Councillor Christina Early.

Karen McDonald, Senior Manager of Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)’s ecosystem management team, touched on the importance of hosting the celebration itself at Albion Hills Conservation Park.

“As one of the most vital natural spaces in Peel Region, this park demonstrates all of the benefits of a healthy and dense tree canopy,” said McDonald. “The forests surrounding us today provide more than just clean air and fresh water. They offer our community a direct connection to nature through hiking, camping, and forest-based wellness.”

McDonald noted that these types of green spaces cannot be taken for granted. She said between rapid urbanization and a shifting climate, the environment is “under mounting pressure.” 

“By planting these trees, this program is helping to build the resilient green infrastructure our communities need to survive,” said McDonald.

TRCA, through their partnership with Forests Canada, planted almost 135,000 trees together over the past three years.

Each tree planted is bringing the organizations closer to their goal, including a few trees planted that morning, symbolizing another step forward.

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