Forests Ontario

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<p><strong>94% of Canada’s forests</strong> are on publicly owned land.</p>

94% of Canada’s forests are on publicly owned land.

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Landowner Programs

50 Million Tree Program

50 Million Tree Program

The goal of the 50 Million Tree Program was to plant 50 million trees by 2025. We helped more than 4,000 landowners get involved to plant over 27 million trees. Read More

  • Greater Than 2.5 Acres / 1 Hectare
  • Open
  • Ontario
Durham Region 5 Million Tree Program

Durham Region 5 Million Tree Program

The eight local municipalities of Durham Region are offering additional tree planting subsidies and support for public and private landowners as part of The Durham Region 5 Million Tree Program Read More

  • Greater Than 2.5 Acres / 1 Hectare
  • Open
  • Ontario
Forest Recovery Canada

Forest Recovery Canada

For planting organizations, municipalities, First Nations, ENGOs and corporate sponsors outside the province, we offer additional support through Forest Recovery Canada (FRC), our national tree planting division. Read More

  • Less Than 2.5 Acres / 1 Hectare
  • Greater Than 2.5 Acres / 1 Hectare
  • Open
  • Treed
  • Alberta
  • British Columbia
  • Manitoba
  • New Brunswick
  • Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Northwest Territories
  • Nova Scotia
  • Nunavut
  • Ontario
  • Prince Edward Island
  • Quebec
  • Saskatchewan
  • Yukon
York Region Woodlot Owners

York Region Woodlot Owners

Emerald Ash Borer Advisory Services Program

Landowners in York Region can contact us for assistance to determine the best way to manage and protect their forests from the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). We will connect you with the resources and contacts to help you make a plan to ensure your woodlot stays healthy and diverse. Read More

  • Less Than 2.5 Acres / 1 Hectare
  • Greater Than 2.5 Acres / 1 Hectare
  • Treed
  • Ontario
MFTIP

MFTIP

The Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP) is a voluntary program administered by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), that offers a property tax reduction on well-managed forest land in Ontario. It is an incentive to support you in the stewardship of your forest! To apply you need a 10-year Managed Forest Plan. This... Read More

  • Less Than 2.5 Acres / 1 Hectare
  • Greater Than 2.5 Acres / 1 Hectare
  • Treed
  • Ontario

Latest Resources

Disaster Mitigation and Insurance: The Role of Forests in Mitigating Extreme Weather Events

Disaster Mitigation and Insurance: The Role of Forests in Mitigating Extreme Weather Events

Forests Ontario Brief to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development

Our natural landscapes have a powerful ability to address climate change, with forests in particular playing an important role. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, the main driver of climate change, from the atmosphere and use the carbon to build their trunks, branches, and roots, releasing oxygen as a by-product. While most climate change mitigation efforts focus on reducing carbon emissions, trees actually remove carbon from the air. In addition to playing a proactive role in addressing climate change via carbon sequestration, forests also mitigate the associated impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather.

Forests Ontario CEO Rob Keen was invited to speak to the role our forests play in mitigating climate change-related disasters to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development on June, 2019. This briefing report was created to support the presentation, and affirms that afforestation combined with sustainable forest management is the most straightforward thing we can do to reduce the risks associated with climate change. As opposed to simply reducing our carbon emissions, these activities provide an opportunity to contribute to the net removal of carbon in our atmosphere. Tree planting specifically has the potential to significantly mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events and natural disturbances associated with climate change, most notably flooding and extreme heat.

The Economic Value of Tree Planting in Southern Ontario

The Economic Value of Tree Planting in Southern Ontario

Forests Ontario is dedicated to making Ontario’s forests greener through tree planting, education, and community engagement. The province of Ontario has committed to planting 50 million trees under the 50 Million Tree Program. Forests Ontario is helping to achieve this goal by engaging landowners and aiding tree planting activities. Between 2008 and 2018, Forests Ontario supported the planting of over 24 million trees covering almost 15 thousand hectares.

To demonstrate the value derived from tree planting in Southern Ontario, Forests Ontario commissioned Green Analytics to conduct an economic assessment of tree planting. This report presents the results of that assessment. There are two components to the assessment: the first focuses on the jobs and the gross domestic product (GDP) impact resulting from Forests Ontario’s tree planting activities; and the second focuses on the ecosystem services that are provided to people living near the areas that have been planted.

Tomorrow’s Forests

Tomorrow’s Forests

Tree Seed Management in Ontario

This paper summarizes much of the accumulated knowledge related to tree seed acquisition, seed management, identifies some of the species-specific complexities, and reviews program management strategies undertaken in Ontario and in other jurisdictions. It also attempts to forecast what will be required in the future to address universal opportunities and challenges posed by changes to climate, loss in biodiversity, species at risk, invasive species, and landscape sustainability, all from a tree seed perspective.

This information is intended to inform managers and organizations charged with maintaining and enhancing forest cover, and conducting tree seed management activities. Continued delivery of a robust seed management program will require focus on sound science, collaboration and long-term planning for the entire reforestation cycle.

Sawmill Sid

Give fallen trees a new life

Sawmill Sid specializes in portable sawmilling and wood repurposing solutions. In light of extreme weather events and invasive species such as the Emerald Ash Borer, urban wood waste has become a major challenge. Without the means to recycle wood from dead trees, a significant portion of wood is destined for landfills. By providing portable sawmilling services, Sawmill Sid provides an alternative that allows fallen trees to be given new life as useful products.

The wood recovered from these trees is used in the production of a multitude of products, including flooring, furniture, fire place mantels, and homes. Wood is also provided to schools and community groups for building projects.

A Healthy Dose of Green

A Healthy Dose of Green

Our health and well-being are intricately interconnected with the health of our natural environment. Trees and forests are integral components of healthy ecosystems that support healthy human populations. Forests and green spaces have also been linked to a significant decline in stress, improved rehabilitation, faster hospital recovery rates, and a decrease in the severity of symptoms in attention deficit disorders. By highlighting the links between human health and the health of rural and urban forests, Forests Ontario (formerly Trees Ontario) hopes to increase support for tree planting initiatives and stimulate collaborative action to significantly enhance and restore forest cover across Ontario.

Events

York Region Community Tree Planting Festival

May 11th, 2019

Spring has sprung and what better way to “dig in” to the warmer weather than with a fun family tree planting festival! York Region and Forests Ontario are excited to invite you and your family to participate in the 2019 Community Tree Planting Festival happening in York this May.

Register now! Space is limited and pre-registration is required.

Come participate in tree planting, face painting, and crafts while learning about your local forests. Grab your gloves and shovels (or use one of ours!) to attend—trees and refreshments will be provided as well as a cash BBQ after you ‘dig up’ some appetite!

This event is suitable for all ages and will take place rain or shine, so dress appropriately! High school students are eligible to receive volunteer hours for participation.

Location
Bendor and Graves Tract 17858 McCowan Road Town of East Gwillimbury, ON, L0G 1E0
Link
www.eventbrite.ca
Email
info@forestsontario.ca
Phone
4166461193

Community Tree Plant – Ajax

April 27th, 2019

Event Details:

We are seeking volunteers to help plant 2000 trees in Paulynn Park in partnership with our friends from Forests Ontario.
Trees, shovels, gloves and refreshments provided.

Suitable for all ages and will take place rain or shine. High school students earn volunteer hours!

Register Now!

Location
Paulynn Park 1575 Ravenscroft Road, Ajax ON 
Link
forms.ajax.ca
Email
contactus@ajax.ca
Phone
(905) 683-2951

Community Tree Plant – Windsor

May 11th, 2019

Spring has sprung and what better way to “dig in” to the warmer weather than with a family fun tree planting event! Forests Ontario, ERCA, Detroit River Canadian Cleanup, and The City of Windsor are excited to invite you and your families to participate in the 2019 Community Tree Planting Event happening in Windsor this May. Register now!

Trees, shovels, gloves and refreshments will be provided. This event is suitable for all ages and will take place rain or shine, so dress appropriately! High school students are eligible to receive volunteer hours for participation.

Date & Time

Saturday May 11th, 2019

10:00am – Noon

Cost

FREE!

Location

City of Windsor’s Former Wood Disposal Yard on Cherry Blossom Road’

Cherry Blossom Drive

Windsor, ON

Parking is available at 5545 Cherry Blossom Drive

Tree Planting Delivery Partners

City of Windsor, Essex Region Conservation Authority, and Detroit River Canadian Cleanup .

Come join us for a fun day of tree planting and make the Windsor a little greener!

Location
City of Windsor's Former Wood Disposal Yard on Cherry Blossom Road Cherry Blossom Drive Windsor, ON N9A 6S1 (Parking is available at 5545 Cherry Blossom Drive)
Link
www.eventbrite.ca
Email
info@forestsontario.ca
Phone
4166461193

Community Tree Plant – Penetanguishene

May 4th, 2019

Spring has sprung and what better way to “dig in” to the warmer weather than with a family fun tree planting event! Forests Ontario and the County of Simcoe are excited to invite you and your family to participate in the 2019 Community Tree Planting Event happening in Penetanguishene this May.

Register now!

Trees, shovels, gloves and refreshments will be provided. This event is suitable for all ages and will take place rain or shine, so dress appropriately! High school students are eligible to receive volunteer hours for participation.

Location
Martins Valley 390 Wilson Road Midland, ON L4R 4K4
Link
www.eventbrite.ca
Email
info@forestsontario.ca
Phone
4166461193

Tree Planting and Forest Management Landowner Workshop – Kemptville

March 6th, 2019

Interested in growing a healthy forest on your open land? Forests Ontario and its partners can help, including providing information on available funding; learn more by attending a free landowner workshop. The workshop will offer information on forest management and stewardship, tree planting funding and other financial incentives for establishing and managing your forests.

Presentations by forestry experts will include a variety of topics, such as:

  • 50 Million Tree Program
  • Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program
  • Private Land Tree Planting Program

Light refreshments will be served. Space is limited and pre-registration is encouraged.

Event runs from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., check-in begins at 6:30 p.m.

Location
Ferguson Tree Nursery 275 County Road 44 Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0
Link
www.eventbrite.ca
Email
info@forestsontario.ca
Phone
416-646-1193

Make an impact

Forests Ontario is committed to making our province–and our country–greener. Through tree planting programs and subsidies, valuable tools and resources, and innovative partnerships with public and private sponsors, we’re having a big impact on our community, our environment, and our world. Register today to help us make an even bigger impact.

Register as a Planting Agency
Register as a Landowner
Register as a Forester