Forest Capital of Canada 2026

Project Start/End Dates
-

London is now the Forest Capital of Canada

London has been named the 2026 Forest Capital of Canada by the Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada (CIF-IFC). This national designation recognizes communities that demonstrate exceptional leadership in forest conservation, environmental stewardship and sustainable forest management.

Known proudly as “The Forest City,” London’s connection to its forests runs deep from Indigenous stewardship along the Deshkan Ziibi (Thames River) to today’s leadership in urban forestry, ecological restoration and community-driven environmental programs.

Over the next year, we invite you to celebrate, learn, participate and help shape the future of London’s urban forest.

What this means for London

As the Forest Capital of Canada, London will host a series of events, educational opportunities, community activities and partnership initiatives that highlight:

  • Our rich forest heritage
  • The importance of forests in urban settings
  • London’s Environmentally Significant Areas and natural landscapes
  • Tree planting, restoration, and conservation
  • Climate resiliency and sustainability
  • Youth and school engagement

This is a chance for all Londoners to deepen their connection to our urban forest and natural spaces that make our city unique.

Calendar of events

Throughout 2026, London will offer a year-long program of events and activities celebrating our urban forest. More details of each program will be communicated later.

January 31: London Bug Day

Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Location: Western University, Mustang Lounge, University Community Centre building

February 18-20: International Society of Arboriculture Ontario (ISAO) annual conference and trade show 

Location: RBC Place, 300 York Street

February 24: Treevening: Why do trees matter?

Time: 5:30 to 6:45 p.m.

Location: Stevenson & Hunt Room, Central Library, 251 Dundas Street

February 25: Forest City Capital of Canada designation

Time: 1 to 3 p.m.

Invite only.

March 7: Seedy Saturday

A day for garden lovers to swap seeds, shop from local vendors and get inspired for the growing season ahead. 

Come visit the City’s Forestry booth to learn more about invasive insects and diseases that pose a risk to London’s trees, or to talk to us about the benefits of local seeds and plants!

For more information, see: https://londonmiddlesexmastergardeners.com/seedysat2026/

Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Location: Carling Heights community centre

April 22: Spring tree giveaway

Londoners are welcome to come pick up a free tree at this spring event to plant on their property.

The City is committed to providing accessible accommodations for residents. 

If you require an accommodation to obtain your tree, please call 519-661-5783.

Time: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Location: Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre, 656 Elizabeth Street

April 25: EarthFest London

EarthFest recognizes and celebrates and Earth Day. 

This event inspires hope and action toward a greener London and a greener planet by bringing the community together for a day of music, art, food, learning and fun.

Visit our booth, one of over 100 that will be at EarthFest, for information on invasive insects and diseases that pose a risk to London’s trees.

For more information, visit: earthfestlondon.ca

Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Locations: Citi Plaza and Central Library, 355 Wellington Street and 251 Dundas Street

April 30: Treevening: Introduction to Growing Fruit Trees at Home

Best practices for establishing and tending fruit (and nut) trees

Come learn from an orchardist about species options, pollination requirements, soil fertility and an overview of the seasonal tasks involved in tending fruit trees. 

There will be ample time for any of your questions.

There will also be a fruit tree giveaway for attendees. 

To receive a tree, you will need to pre-register here.

Location: Stronach Community Recreation Centre, 1221 Sandford St, London ON

May 9: Emergency Preparedness Day

In celebration of the benefits trees provide, including cooling during extreme heat events, Forestry will have a booth at Emergency Preparedness Day. 

Londoners can stop our booth to pick up a free tree to plant on their private property.

There will be tree giveaway for attendees.

Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Location: Fanshawe College,1001 Fanshawe College Blvd

May 23: Touch-a-Truck Event

The Touch-A-Truck Event is held annually in Celebration of National Public Works Week. 

Stop by to visit forestry and their trucks!

June 6: Gathering on the Green

The City’s Forestry booth will be this event to provide information on invasive insects and diseases that pose a risk to our trees in London. 

This event is the largest and longest-standing festival in Old South. It features live music, food, and outdoor fun for families and neighbours. 

For more information, click here

Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Location: The Green (Wortley Village Green), 206-226 Wortley Road

June 18: Treevening: Native trees and non-native look-alikes

This tree-focused evening event will examine some of the trees at Reservoir Park near the community garden and highlight other species that look similar to them but that differ in whether they are native to this region.

Time: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Location: Reservoir Park Community Garden, 552 Crestwood Drive

July 19: Pride London Festival

The London Pride Parade route ends at Victoria Park, where there will be annual closing speeches and entertainment.

Forestry will be at this celebration between 12:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., with a booth. Everyone is welcome to stop by to learn more about invasive insects and diseases that pose a risk to our trees in London.

For more information: pridelondon.ca

Location: Victoria Park580 Clarence Street

July 6 to 10: Junior Forest Rangers Day Camp

A forestry-focused day camp, offered by the City of London.

Information is posted on here, with registration opening March 17, 2026.

July 20 to 24: Junior Forest Rangers Day Camp

A forestry-focused day camp, offered by the City of London.

Information is posted here, with registration opening March 17, 2026.

July 29: North London Athletic Fields - Neighbourhood Park Event

This neighbourhood park event is to celebrate park improvements to North London Athletic Fields, made through the Neighbourhood Parks Improvement Fund. This fund helps to make local parks more welcoming, accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Once park improvements are completed, the City of London works with neighbourhood leaders and community organizations to host free park celebration events. These fun, family-friendly events invite you to explore new park features, enjoy free activities and experience everything local parks have to offer.

Forestry will be at this event with a booth, to provide information on invasive species that affect trees, and to answer your tree-related questions.

For more information: Neighbourhood park events | City of London

Location: North London Athletic Fields, 1225 Adelaide Street North

August 19: Treevening: Guided Nature Walk at Westminster Ponds

This interpretive tour of the Westminster Ponds Environmentally Significant Area will highlight the different vegetation communities or habitats present, highlighting the differences between them and what lives there. 

Register now

Time: 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Location: Westminster Ponds Environmentally Significant Area, 894 Western Counties Road

September 12: Stoneybrook Park - Neighbourhood Park Event

This neighbourhood park event is to celebrate park improvements to Stoneybrook Park, made through the Neighbourhood Parks Improvement Fund. This fund helps to make local parks more welcoming, accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Once park improvements are completed, the City of London works with neighbourhood leaders and community organizations to host free park celebration events. These fun, family-friendly events invite you to explore new park features, enjoy free activities and experience everything local parks have to offer. 

Forestry will be at this event with a booth, to provide information on invasive species that affect trees, and to answer your tree-related questions.

For more information: Neighbourhood park events | City of London

Time: 1 to 3 p.m.

Location: Stoneybrook Park, 815 Windermere Road

September 19: Tree Tasting Event: Food sourced from local tree species

This event will highlight some of the uses and flavours from trees that grow in Southern Ontario. 

The event will feature an ice cream Sunday station, where attendees will be able to try locally-made ice cream flavoured with trees from the region, with toppings including preserves made from different species. More details coming soon!

The event will also feature apple cider pressing demos, and apple tasting.

Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: Earl Nichols Recreation Centre, 799 Homeview Rd

September 20 to 26: National Forest Week Family Scavenger Hunt

Details, including rules and clues, will be announced when the hunt opens on September 20, 2026.

September 21: Treevening: Mini Forests

During this presentation, we will explore how mini forests, inspired by the Miyawaki Method, have become a gateway to ecological restoration in cities. The presentation also examines how these plantings challenge human-centered approaches to gardening, horticulture, and landscape architecture by embracing more autonomous, biodiverse ecosystems.

Register now.

Time: 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Location: Earl Nichols Recreation Centre, 799 Homeview Rd

September 23: Treevening: Guided Nature Walk at Medway Valley Heritage Forest

This interpretive tour of Medway Valley Heritage Forest Environmentally Significant Area will highlight the different vegetation communities or habitats present there, similar to the August Treevening. 

With large differences between the two Environmentally Significant Areas, this walk will be interesting and informative for both those who attended the one in August, and those who did not.

Time: 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Location: Medway Valley Heritage Forest Environmentally Significant Area

September 23: National Forest Week: Tree giveaway

Londoners are welcome to come pick up a free tree at this fall event to plant on their property. 

This is an annual event, in celebration of National Forest Week.

The City is committed to providing accessible accommodations for residents. 

If you require an accommodation to obtain your tree, please call 519-661-5783.

Location: to be announced.

October 3: Southeast Optimist Park - Neighbourhood Park Event

This neighbourhood park event is to celebrate park improvements to Southeast Optimist Park, made through the Neighbourhood Parks Improvement Fund. This fund helps to make local parks more welcoming, accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Once park improvements are completed, the City of London works with neighbourhood leaders and community organizations to host free park celebration events. These fun, family-friendly events invite you to explore new park features, enjoy free activities and experience everything local parks have to offer.

Forestry will be at this event with a booth, to provide information on invasive species that affect trees, and to answer your tree-related questions.

For more information: Neighbourhood park events | City of London

Time: 1 to 3 p.m.

Location: Southeast Optimist Park, 237 Deveron Crescent

October 10: Newcomer Day

London Newcomer Day is an annual event hosted by the City of London to welcome newcomers to the city, showcasing the rich services and opportunities available to them to support their transition.

Time: 12 to 4 p.m.

Location: to be announced.

October 17: St. Stephen’s Park - Neighbourhood Park Event

This neighbourhood park event is to celebrate park improvements to St. Stephen’s Park, made through the Neighbourhood Parks Improvement Fund. This fund helps to make local parks more welcoming, accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Once park improvements are completed, the City of London works with neighbourhood leaders and community organizations to host free park celebration events. These fun, family-friendly events invite you to explore new park features, enjoy free activities and experience everything local parks have to offer.

Forestry will be at this event with a booth, to provide information on invasive species that affect trees, and to answer your tree-related questions.

For more information: Neighbourhood park events | City of London

Time: 1 to 3 p.m.

Location: St. Stephen’s Park, 1030 Mitchell Street

November: Treevening: Twigs in the winter: An introduction to tree identification without leaves

Date and location to be announced.

 

Last modified:Thursday, August 27, 2026