THOROLD, Ont. (Sept. 10, 2026) – The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) is celebrating another successful spring planting season, with more than 25,000 trees planted through its Trees for All program in partnership with municipalities, conservation organizations and community partners across the Niagara Peninsula watershed.
This spring, the program planted a total of 25,106 trees across 28 planting sites, combining both bareroot and potted tree planting initiatives to restore natural areas, improve wildlife habitat, and build more resilient communities. This represents a 114 per cent increase in trees planted compared to the previous year, while the number of planting sites grew by 65 per cent. This growth reflects the continued expansion of Trees for All, strengthened partnerships across the watershed, and NPCA’s growing capacity to deliver restoration projects at scale.
The spring season included 12,550 bareroot trees and 12,556 potted trees, with projects completed in Hamilton, Haldimand County, Port Colborne, Pelham, Fort Erie, St. Catharines, and Welland.
Among the season's highlights was the largest potted planting project in the program's history, with 2,800 trees planted at Turner Park in Hamilton, alongside another 2,750 in Haldimand County. Restoration also continued at NPCA conservation lands, including Long Beach, Smith-Ness, and Virgil Dam.
Beyond increasing tree canopy, these restoration projects help improve water quality, reduce erosion, create wildlife habitat, support biodiversity, and strengthen the long-term health of the Niagara Peninsula watershed.
The momentum will continue this fall, with 29,635 additional trees already confirmed for planting across 26 sites, alongside projects with Niagara Region, Niagara Parks, the City of St. Catharines, the City of Welland, and TD Friends of the Environment. Additional projects are also being planned with municipal and community partners throughout the watershed.
Community members can be part of that momentum by volunteering at upcoming Trees for All planting events across the watershed. Volunteers will have the opportunity to get involved directly in local restoration efforts and help establish trees that will contribute to healthier, more resilient communities.
Upcoming public planting events include:
- Sept. 12 – TD Tree Days, Niagara Stone Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake
- Sept. 12 – TD Tree Days, Hyslop Package, Hamilton
- Sept. 16 – Tree Planting, Malcolmson Eco-Park, St. Catharines
- Sept. 19 – TD Tree Days, McAdam Park, Thorold
- Sept. 26 – Tree Planting, Creek View Drive Park, West Lincoln
- Oct. 3 – TD Tree Days, Glengarry Park, St. Catharines
- Oct. 24 – TD Tree Days, Ott Road Park, Stevensville
All listed planting events are free. Visit getinvolved.npca.ca/trees-for-all to find upcoming volunteer events, sign up for updates, or learn more about how you can support environmental restoration in your community. For information about volunteering at a tree planting event, or if you have any questions, please contact volunteering@npca.ca.
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QUOTES
"This spring’s planting season showed what we can accomplish with strong partners and well-planned restoration projects. The trees planted will grow into habitat, strengthen biodiversity and contribute to healthier, more resilient landscapes. We’re looking forward to building on that progress with another strong planting season this fall.”
Stuart McPherson, Project Lead, Trees for All Program
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About Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority:
As a community-based natural resource management agency, the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority envisions a healthy and vibrant natural environment with shared greenspace and clean water for all. NPCA’s work supports the conservation, enhancement, and sustainability of healthy watersheds with programs and services that focus on drinking water source protection, flood and hazard management, ecosystem restoration, community stewardship, education, and land management.
NPCA is the caretaker of 43 conservation areas within the Niagara Peninsula watershed held in public trust for recreation, heritage preservation, conservation, and education. These natural and shared greenspaces marry nature, culture, and adventure to create limitless opportunities for discovery.
For more info on NPCA: www.npca.ca
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Questions related to the above release should be directed to:
Jacob Pozzobon
Communications and Public Relations Assistant
Cell: 905-933-1562
jpozzobon@npca.ca