Celebrate National Forest Week by helping us grow Winnipeg’s urban forest

A person plants a tree.
All Winnipeggers have a role to play when it comes to growing Winnipeg’s urban forest.

From providing shade and making our city more beautiful to improving the health of people, plants, and animals, trees do so much for us.

Why not return the favour and do something for the trees?

This National Forest Week (September 17-23), we’re challenging Winnipeggers to do just that.

“Everyone has a role to play in making our city a more beautiful, healthier place to live,” says City Forester Martha Barwinsky.

“Our Home Grown tree planting program not only allows us as a public service to increase the number of trees in the city. It also provides many opportunities for residents and organizations to get trees in the ground in ways that make sense for them.” 

Our Home Grown volunteer stream lets volunteer groups plant trees on City property under the guidance of the experts.

  • The program pairs organizations with existing planting sites like parks and natural areas.
  • We coordinate the project and provide both the trees and oversight. You provide the manpower.
  • Participants learn the basics of tree planting and see their hard work take root. They also leave knowing they’ve helped support wildlife, create habitat, and promote biodiversity.

With funding from the Government of Canada’s Two Billion Trees Program, the Home Grown Grant offers not-for-profits up to $20,000 each for large-scale tree planting projects on public land.

  • The program focuses adding trees to geographic areas of higher poverty and other underserved communities.
  • Applications for the 2024 planting season are now open. Groups have until November 10, 2023 to submit an application.

Individual residents have three options for helping grow the urban forest, right from their own home:

  • Buying a commemorative tree in a park or on a boulevard
  • Hiring a contractor to plant a tree on public property
  • Planting a tree on private property 

No matter how you choose to participate, our experts will work with you to ensure you help get the right tree into the right place for the future of our urban forest.

“We’re happy to help with every tree that goes into the ground because every tree that goes into the ground helps us,” says Barwinsky.

“Together we can ensure individual trees thrive and contribute to a thriving urban canopy.” 

Learn more about what we’re doing to grow the urban forest and how you can get involved at winnipeg.ca/homegrown.

Parks, trees and the environment

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