Calgary is set to welcome 1,400 new trees across its parks through a collaborative effort involving Trees for Life and the Arbour Day Foundation. The initiative aims to bolster the city's urban tree canopy, which currently stands at approximately 10 percent.
Volunteers Kick Off Planting at Winston Heights Park
On Thursday, volunteers from Enterprise Mobility joined forces with community members to plant the first 300 trees at Winston Heights off-leash dog park. The species included buckeyes, oaks, and evergreens. Among the volunteers were Leila Khattab and Kristina Rae, who contributed to the planting effort.
Upcoming Planting Schedule
Next week, an additional 400 trees will be planted at West Nose Creek Park. The remaining 700 trees are scheduled for planting in the fall. These efforts are part of broader urban revitalization projects led by Trees for Life and the Arbour Day Foundation, with similar events already completed in Richmond and Toronto, and a planned event in Edmonton.
Partnership with Trees for Life
Trees for Life, a non-profit community tree planting organization, has collaborated with the city for the past three years, according to development director Mike Hurst. In 2024, the organization helped create a memorial honoring the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force and added 2,000 trees to West Nose Creek Park in 2025.
City's Tree Planting Goals
The new plantings will assist Calgary in achieving its target of planting 7,500 trees this year with volunteer support, said urban forestry department supervisor Alan Joiner. He emphasized the simplicity of the process, noting that planting a tree starts with digging a hole as deep as the shovel's head and a few inches wider.
Benefits of Increased Tree Canopy
Calgary's urban tree canopy currently covers about 10 percent of the city, and officials hope to expand it by six percent by 2060. Joiner explained that this expansion is significant given Calgary's large land area, comparing it to four to six times the size of the airport. The increased canopy offers numerous benefits, including slowing stormwater runoff, providing shade, and reducing the urban heat island effect through transpiration. Additionally, Joiner highlighted the mental health advantages, referencing Japanese practices of forest bathing, though he noted these benefits are less tangible but still important for residents.
Community Involvement
Calgary is also promoting its Branching Out Program to encourage further community participation in reaching the city's tree planting goals. The program aims to engage residents in enhancing the urban forest for a greener and healthier city.
