Key Takeaways
- Forests Canada and Ontario Parks have jointly planted 12,000 native trees and shrubs across nine Ontario provincial parks to restore areas impacted by extreme weather, invasive species, disease, insect damage, and shoreline erosion.
- 4,500 potted trees and shrubs representing 39 different native species were planted across Charleston Lake, Craigleith, Emily, McRae Point, Presqu'ile, Rock Point, Samuel de Champlain, Sibbald Point, and Turkey Point Provincial Parks.
- An additional 7,500 seedlings were planted at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park to restore sections closed following extensive storm damage in June 2025.
- The restoration program was supported by Ontario's Species Conservation Program, with five nurseries and five planting partners engaged to deliver the work across all nine sites.
- The initiative targeted both biodiversity restoration and the conservation of species at risk and their habitats within Ontario's provincial park system.
Forests Canada and Ontario Parks Plant 12,000 Native Trees Across Nine Provincial Parks
National charity Forests Canada and Ontario Parks have completed a joint restoration effort, planting 12,000 native trees and shrubs across nine Ontario provincial parks. The program targeted parks affected by extreme weather events, invasive species, tree loss from insects and disease, and shoreline erosion, with the goal of restoring native biodiversity and long-term ecological health across these landscapes.
“Forests Canada is proud to lead the restoration efforts and promote the long-term health of these incredible spaces. We approach our forest recovery work in a systematic way – considering every stage from seed collection and seedling production to planting and long-term survival, and we are honoured to put our knowledge, experience and network of partners to work benefitting Ontario's provincial parks,” said Jess Kaknevicius, CEO of Forests Canada.
Species Planted and Parks Covered
Over the past fall and spring planting seasons, 4,500 potted trees and shrubs spanning 39 distinct native species were planted in targeted areas throughout Charleston Lake, Craigleith, Emily, McRae Point, Presqu'ile, Rock Point, Samuel de Champlain, Sibbald Point, and Turkey Point Provincial Parks. Species selection and planting locations were guided by the restoration objectives specific to each site.
A further 7,500 seedlings were planted at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park as part of a dedicated recovery effort following extensive storm damage that forced the park's closure in June 2025. The additional planting at that site reflects the scale of intervention required following acute weather-related disruption to the park's tree cover.
Species Conservation Program Supports Forests Canada Restoration Work
The restoration program across all nine parks was funded in part through Ontario's Species Conservation Program, which supports initiatives that restore biodiversity and conserve species at risk and their habitats. Ontario's Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Todd McCarthy, commented on the broader policy context of the initiative.
“Provincial parks are at the heart of Ontario's natural heritage, and our government is proud to support initiatives that give families and communities more opportunities to explore our great outdoors. Through strong partnerships and targeted investments, we can help ensure our parks remain healthy and vibrant for generations to come,” said Todd McCarthy, Ontario's Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.
Delivery of the program involved a network of five nurseries and five planting partners coordinated by Forests Canada to maintain quality and pace across all nine locations simultaneously.
“Forests Canada's strong infrastructure and the expertise of our planting network were key to this success. We engaged five nurseries and five planting partners to deliver these projects quickly while maintaining the highest quality standards. Ontario Parks staff were great to work with and very enthusiastic and excited about the work happening in their parks. When we invest in restoration, we are also investing in our local communities,” said Mark McDermid, Seed & Stock Specialist at Forests Canada.
The collaboration between Forests Canada and Ontario Parks reflects a broader emphasis on ecosystem restoration and land stewardship as a component of long-term conservation strategy for provincially managed natural areas.
