
We are planting something exciting this fall!
Ever wonder where your hard-earned donation went? How it was invested? I have some answers that might interest you on behalf of the (Canadian) Trees for Life team.
2023 was an extraordinary year from many points of view: we established new relationships with tree planting partners, corporate sponsors, and with you, our donors/supporters.
Return to our Roots
Ever wonder where your hard-earned donation went? How it was invested? I have some answers that might interest you on behalf of the (Canadian) Trees for Life team.
2023 was an extraordinary year from many points of view: we established new relationships with tree planting partners, corporate sponsors, and with you, our donors/supporters.

Hero Spotlight Herb McGee
Trees for Life is proud to continue the tradition of building living tributes, started by the Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign, through our Trees for Heroes program. Now, we are planting trees for heroes of all kinds, and 2024 we’ll see a very special collaboration come to life that marks our return to honouring the brave men and women of our Armed Forces.
The 1st of April 2024 marks 100 years of service for the Royal Canadian Air Force as a distinct military element. The Centennial milestone places the RCAF in a unique position to honour its distinct heritage; recognize its tremendous people today; and generate excitement for its bright future. This is an opportunity to fuel internal and external support in the organization that instills pride in our Air Force, while creating an enduring legacy that propels the institution forward into its next century of service. Canada’s Air Force will be showcased in a past, present and future context, with a focus on highlighting contributions to national safety and security, international peace, and global stability.

Returning to our Roots: Trees for Life Partners with the RCAF to Commemorate Centennial
Trees for Life is proud to continue the tradition of building living tributes, started by the Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign, through our Trees for Heroes program. Now, we are planting trees for heroes of all kinds, and 2024 we’ll see a very special collaboration come to life that marks our return to honouring the brave men and women of our Armed Forces.
The 1st of April 2024 marks 100 years of service for the Royal Canadian Air Force as a distinct military element. The Centennial milestone places the RCAF in a unique position to honour its distinct heritage; recognize its tremendous people today; and generate excitement for its bright future. This is an opportunity to fuel internal and external support in the organization that instills pride in our Air Force, while creating an enduring legacy that propels the institution forward into its next century of service. Canada’s Air Force will be showcased in a past, present and future context, with a focus on highlighting contributions to national safety and security, international peace, and global stability.

Noticed some blue buildings around town?
Noticed some blue buildings around town?
You can thank the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) for that. In honour of its 100th anniversary, the RCAF has launched a campaign to celebrate the event and shine a light on the people past, present, and future who are making a positive impact on behalf of the organization.
Trees for Life is collaborating with the RCAF on many commemorative plantings this year in honour of our shared history and future as we expand our mandate to all types of heroes, including first responders, health workers, the Military, and personal heroes.
Where Your Money Goes
Ever wonder where your hard-earned donation went? How it was invested? I have some answers that might interest you on behalf of the (Canadian) Trees for Life team.
2023 was an extraordinary year from many points of view: we established new relationships with tree planting partners, corporate sponsors, and with you, our donors/supporters.

Dr. Sujane Kandasamy
Written by Dr. Sujane Kandasamy
Co-founder of PEACH Health Ontario, Health Research Methodologist & Public Health Researcher
Dr. Sujane Kandasamy is a co-founder of PEACH (Partnerships for Environmental Action by Clinicians and Communities for Healthcare Facilities), Health Ontario. The organization is part of Trees for Health, a coalition of passionate organizations partnering with health facilities, municipalities, and conservation authorities to plant trees to honour health workers across the province.

Building a Greener Future Together
Complementing the morning planting at Bruce’s Mill Conservation Park, the staff of longtime supporters Harrington and Associates added another 150 trees to this important piece of green space north of Toronto. Guided by the experts at the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, the eager group planted these trees in honour of local healthcare heroes.

Investing in Biodiversity
In partnership with the TRCA, over 30 AGF employees gathered to plant 250 trees at Bruce’s Mill Conservation Park in Whitchurch-Stouffville, just north of Toronto. It’s an important green space providing educational programs, and recreational activities and offers an escape to thousands of people. The conservation area is over 250 acres in size and it is home to a diverse ecosystem, including wetlands and mixed forest.

Returning to our Roots – Trees for Life Partners with the Royal Canadian Air Force to Commemorate Its Centennial
Through the Trees for Heroes program, Trees for Life is proud to continue the tradition of building living tributes, started by the Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign. Now trees are planted for all kinds of heroes, and in 2024 we’ll launch a special collaboration that continues to honour the brave men and women of our Armed Forces.

A Personal Best, almost!
Mike Hurley, TFL’s Executive Director and sole runner for the Acorns this year, successfully completed the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon 5K on October 15th, just seconds shy of his best-ever time. Your generosity raised over $x,xxx in support of tree planting in the Toronto waterfront area near the race route including Tommy Thompson Park.

Richmond Hill and LEAF Honour Health Heroes
On the same day, just north of Toronto, over 100 volunteers including over 20 from our corporate supporter Less Mess, gathered at Beaver Woodland in Richmond Hill to lend LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests), a helping hand as they grow Richmond Hill’s urban forest.

Community Tree Planting in Guelph
A HUGE thank you to all of you for the planting on Saturday, October 21st. at Kortright Hills in Guelph.
With the combined TD Tree Days, TFL, and Trees for Guelph volunteers, 600 native trees and shrubs were added to the City of Guelph’s Kortright Hills tree canopy of the future.

A Touching Addition to Town’s Cemeteries
For the 2nd consecutive year, Trees for Life and the Ontario Association of Cemetery and Funeral Professionals (OACFP) created a lasting green legacy for the community where the annual OACFP conference was held. This year, that community was Huntsville, ON. Through a partnership between Trees for Life, the OACFP, the Town of Huntsville, and with funding provided by Meridian Credit Union, 100 new trees were planted at three local cemeteries.

Edmonton Honours Health Workers
In collaboration with the City of Edmonton’s Root for Trees program, TD Friends of the Environment and Covenant Health, Trees for Life hosted the largest-ever tree planting event honouring healthcare workers on October 5.

The Unveiling of the Children's Sacred Forest
On September 30, 2023, Beechwood Cemetery Foundation alongside their partners, the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society and the Assembly of 7 Generations unveiled a new Sacred Forest. This monument features three large boulders, with a central plaque.

Still Running and Planting!
For the 2nd year in a row, Trees for Life is honoured to be chosen as an environmental charity partner of Canada Running Series and the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Last year over $25K was raised through the CRS races partnership. These funds went to support the efforts of TFL’s planting partner the Toronto Region Conservation Authority, including planting over 4200 trees and shrubs at 5 sites in close proximity to the race route along Toronto’s waterfront.

Project Update: Royal Canin Canada and the City of Guelph Support Local Naturalization
Thanks to our friends at the City of Guelph and corporate partner Royal Canin Canada, there are now 175 new native trees including Bur Oak, White Cedar and Sugar Maple in the Kortright Hills Natural Area in Guelph. This marks the second time in as many years that we are fortunate to be working together and greening an important part of the Hanlon Creek watershed.

A Passion for Native Maples
Ken Jewett, businessman, naturalist, and philanthropist, shares his story of love for native maple trees, spanning decades, which has resulted in a legacy of roads lined with their undeniable beauty.
It was a native arboreal tree that inspired an image of its leaf on our national flag. Not just any maple but a sugar maple.

The Project Forest & Nutrien Partnership
Trees for Life is excited to share the news that the Ontario government is providing $195,000 in funding over three years, through the Species at Risk Stewardship program to Trees for Life to undertake on-the-ground work to protect species at risk.