Community Tree Planting Events
Tree planting events are an excellent opportunity to take direct environmental action and learn about how we can protect and care for our urban forest ecosystem. These fun, community-building events allow people to be part of the solution to climate change and biodiversity loss.
Event participants must:
- Wear close-toed shoes
- Wear appropriate clothing for outdoor physical activity
- Bring a reusable water bottle and UV protection
- Come with a great attitude, ready to plant and learn!
Each participant will receive training from a LEAF staff member or trained LEAF volunteer on how to properly plant and mulch trees and shrubs. Our goal is for participants to walk away with a better understanding of the importance of native plant species and how they can protect and enhance the urban forest. All ages are welcome to these family-friendly events! Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
Our community tree planting events take place in York Region and Durham Region.
For upcoming community tree planting events, check out our Events page!
For tree planting events in the City of Toronto, visit their Community Stewardship Program.
Depending on the size of your group, LEAF may be able to offer a variety of private event options in York Region or Durham Region.
- Private events are a great fit for larger groups (more than 35 people). These may be corporate groups seeking a group activity for employees, or other types of groups. LEAF requires a minimum of three months’ notice to plan a private event.
- If you have a small group but would still like to participate in a planting event, your group may be able to attend one of our public events.
Note: A donation may be requested to help cover some of the costs for a private event.
To find out more and to determine which option may work best for your group, please contact sarah[at]yourleaf.org as soon as possible
Below is a selection of public and park land that LEAF has naturalized through community tree planting events:
Aurora
Georgina
King
Markham
Oshawa
Pickering
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Richmond Hill
Whitby
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At each planting site, LEAF staff, volunteers and community members worked together to naturalize spaces by introducing native trees and shrubs. After planting, mulch was spread around each tree or shrub to help conserve soil moisture, provide nutrients and deter invasive plant species.
LEAF partners with local municipalities in York and Durham Regions to identify public lands for naturalization and stewardship. This work has many benefits, including:
- Increased food and shelter for wildlife
- Increased community green spaces
- Increased urban canopy cover
Additionally, we work with our municipal partners to plant in high-impact locations where our efforts will have added benefits, like extending existing wooded areas or improving water filtration around stormwater retention ponds.
Planting events are typically held in the spring and fall. Sites are monitored after planting to ensure plant survival and minimize invasive species competition. Stewardship activities, such as mulching and invasive species removal, are coordinated by LEAF and/or the local municipality.
Below is a selection videos, blogs and media releases describing our recent tree planting efforts:
Videos:
- Grovewood Park Planting Event
- Aurora National Forest Week Planting Event
- LEAF King Township Planting Event
Blogs:
- Creating Resiliency through Biodiversity in Durham Region
- Enhancing Biodiversity in Markhams’ Grandview Park
- Earth Tending with SpuceLab and LEAF
- With Trees Comes Robins: Expanding York Regions Urban Forest
- Planting Trees and Making Memories in Pickering
- Building Urban Forest Resilience in Oshawa One Tree at a Time
- Growing Whitby’s Urban Forest and Community
- Lessons from Naturalizing Richmond Hill’s Urban Forest
- Small Group Makes Big Impact on King’s Urban Forest
- Tree Planting Has Lasting Effect on Biodiversity and Communities
- Planting for Biodiversity in the Time of COVID-19
- Monitoring for Success: Improving Biodiversity through Naturalization Plantings
- Community Tree Plantings for Biodiversity in York and Durham Regions
Media Releases:
- Nov 29, 2022 - Naturalizing York and Durham Regions with Native Trees and Shrubs
- May 19, 2021 - Tree Planting Continues During COVID Restrictions
- October 9, 2020 - Six Thousand Trees and Shrubs for Public Lands in York and Durham Regions
- September 26, 2019 - National Forest Week Planting Event in King!
- October 13, 2017 - Kettle Lakes Public School Students Pitch in to Help Achieve Forest Canopy Goals!