Niagara Parks Foundation Tree Planting Program
Tree Planting Program
Niagara Parks’ 10-year Urban Forestry Management Strategy sets a number of research-based goals and strategies that will help Niagara Parks create a healthier and more resilient urban forest that supports wildlife and recreational opportunities, reduces pollution, provides a beautiful landscape and helps mitigate the impacts of flooding, erosion and even climate change.
Urban Forests
An urban forest is a collection of trees that grow within a city, town or settlement. A healthy urban forest can provide a number of benefits such as providing habitat for wildlife; reducing water runoff and mitigating flooding/soil erosion; providing shade and temperature management thereby reducing energy costs; reducing pollution; absorbing noise and more. A diverse forest canopy is resilient to future threats such as invasive species and a changing climate.
Toonies for Trees
Toonies for Trees is an initiative the Niagara Parks Foundation launched in 2022, which allows all guests to Niagara Parks the ability to contribute directly to tree planting along the Niagara River corridor.
Through this program, guests can contribute directly to Niagara Parks’ tree planting efforts by adding a donation at any point of sale; whether visiting a Niagara Parks attraction, shopping at a retail location, or making a purchase online. Guests can choose to donate $2, $6, or $10.
Funds raised through Toonies help Niagara Parks meet its annual goal of planting 5,000 trees each year and support the long-term objectives of Niagara Parks’ Urban Forestry Management Strategy, including achieving 35% forest canopy coverage by 2028.
In addition to the Toonies for Trees Program, Trees for Life, a national charitable organization, has also selected the Niagara Parks Foundation as its official Planting Partner for 2025, providing funding through the Federal Government’s 2 Billion Trees Program. This means that your donation through Toonies for Trees goes even further to support tree planting at Niagara Parks!
Each year, Niagara Parks will seek to plant 5,000 trees to achieve 35% canopy cover by 2028.
In the News
Twenty Valley student Reaghan Bucknall grows support for Niagara Parks Foundation's tree planting program.
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Forestry Goals
The Urban Forestry Management Strategy includes goals to improve forest health, increase canopy cover, increase species and habitat biodiversity, mitigate the impacts of invasive species and climate change, increase awareness and promote stewardship. Its ten-year target is to reach 35% overall canopy cover. Since 2012, approximately 150,000 trees have been planted throughout Niagara Parks. The Niagara Parks Foundation raises funds to help support this initiative to continue to plant 5,000 trees per year, contributing to an additional 93 hectares of coverage in the Niagara River corridor.
More ways to give
The Niagara Parks Foundation aims to support Niagara Parks in its stewardship initiatives through funding, research and public education. Make a one-time donation, monthly gift, or dedicate a tribute to a loved one.
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