Niagara Region has received more than $89,000 through the Ontario Community Environment Fund to support Growing Niagara’s Canopy, a joint project with the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA). Over the next two years, the project will plant 7,125 native trees across three Regionally owned properties within the Niagara Peninsula watershed.
The project will restore more than 4.5 hectares of land to diverse deciduous forest, helping increase tree canopy, improve biodiversity, strengthen ecological resilience and support climate change mitigation and adaptation across Niagara.
“We are proud to support Niagara Region’s project to expand the region’s tree canopy – restoring forest ecosystems, improving biodiversity and strengthening community resilience,” said Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “Through the Ontario Community Environment Fund, we are reinvesting money collected from environmental penalties to give local groups the resources they need to make their communities cleaner and safer places to live, work and visit.”
“This funding will help turn underused lands into thriving natural spaces that support climate resilience, biodiversity and community well-being,” said Acting Regional Chair Laura Ip. “We are grateful to the Province of Ontario for this investment and proud to continue building a greener, healthier Niagara.”
In 2023, Niagara Region and the NPCA began identifying public lands suitable for naturalization through tree planting. The selected sites were chosen for their proximity to creeks, lakes and existing forests, their potential for community involvement, and their ability to support restoration without affecting site operations.
“Growing Niagara’s Canopy reflects the kind of collaborative, long-term work needed to strengthen environmental resilience across Niagara,” said Michelle Sergi, Deputy CAO, Niagara Region. “By combining strong site planning, local expertise and community involvement, this project will deliver measurable ecological benefits and support Niagara Region’s broader sustainability objectives.”
Planting will take place at Waterworks Park in Thorold, the Port Dalhousie Wastewater Treatment Plant in St. Catharines and the Garner Road Biosolids Facility in Niagara Falls.
Through six planting events scheduled in fall 2026 and spring and fall of 2027, Niagara Region and the NPCA will work together to establish new forest cover across the three sites.
“This project builds on the strong partnership between the NPCA and Niagara Region and creates meaningful opportunities for residents to be part of local restoration efforts,” said Leilani Lee-Yates, Chief Administrative Officer/Secretary-Treasurer, Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority. “Planting native trees and shrubs in the right places helps restore habitat, improve watershed health and establish self-sustaining ecosystems for years to come.”
Five of the planting events are expected to involve community volunteers, with a goal of engaging 250 volunteers for 750 hours of service. The project builds on an existing partnership between Niagara Region and the NPCA. In 2023 and 2024, nearly 5,000 native trees and shrubs were planted across two Regional properties, with ongoing monitoring helping inform future site selection and planting techniques.
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Questions related to the above release should be directed to:
Jason Misner
Senior Communications Specialist
Niagara Region
905-980-6000 ext. 3250
jason.misner@niagararegion.ca
Jacob Pozzobon
Communications and Public Relations Assistant
Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority
905-933-1562
jpozzobon@npca.ca