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Root for Trees is the City of Edmonton's volunteer tree-planting initiative! You can take part in helping expand our urban forest when you volunteer with us.
Our 2023 planting season is now complete! 3,741 volunteers dedicated their time to plant 34, 167 trees and shrubs with us. A huge thank you to all of our tree-mendous volunteers!
Please check back in March 2024 for an update on our planting details for next season.
Root for Trees increases tree and shrub planting throughout the city with the help of corporations, local businesses, community groups, teams, families and individual residents. The Root for Trees program helps to expand Edmonton’s urban forest by planting trees for Edmontonians by Edmontonians.
Root for Trees plays a critical role in the landscape management process of naturalization. Over time, these grassy areas are planted with trees, shrubs and wildflowers and brought back to a more natural state, resulting in economic, environmental and quality of life benefits.
By volunteering with Root for Trees, you help:
Browse our planting records to find some of the areas we’ve planted since 2012, available on the City’s Open Data portal.
Online registration for the Registered Tree Planting Program is available using Better Impact.
If you have any questions or need help signing up, please email rootfortrees@edmonton.ca.
Looking for a flexible volunteer opportunity for individuals and small groups? Looking to attend a fun special event? Registration or sign-up is not required for the Drop In Planting Program and Special Events.
Root for Trees offers two different types of volunteer opportunities to plant.
Registered Tree Planting
Our Registered Tree Planting Program is two hours in length, and facilitated by Root for Trees Program Technicians who guide the planting demonstration, deliver a safety talk and provide interesting facts about Edmonton’s urban forest. Volunteers are provided with shovels, gloves and plant material and can choose morning, afternoon or evening programs, Tuesday to Saturday during the months of May-October.
Drop-In Tree Planting
Our Drop In Tree Planting Program offers flexibility with no registration required. Root for Trees staff are present on site to provide a safety talk and planting demonstration. Join as an individual, pair or small group. Opportunities are available on Thursdays or Saturdays during the months of May-October.
Special Events
Root for Trees runs a series of special events throughout our planting season. These are usually open to all members of the public and available for volunteers to attend on a drop-in basis, however some may require pre-registration. More details can be found at Root for Trees Special Events.
Root for Trees runs a series of special events throughout our planting season. Please visit Root for Trees Special Events for more information.
Some of our special events include:
Yes. You can find information on our program, as well as other park-related programs on @YEGParks (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter). For program updates and interesting information on trees, sign up for our newsletter, The Canopy.
The annual target of this initiative is to plant an additional 30,000 trees.
Yes, all Root for Trees program plantings occur in naturalized areas. Registered and drop-in volunteer program plantings have a pre-assigned location in each quadrant of the City. Each year, the Root for Trees program site maps and locations are updated.
Please wear comfortable clothing and bring a water bottle. All volunteers entering the planting area are required to wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes. If proper footwear is not worn, volunteers will be unable to participate.
Root for Trees plants native species of trees. Our program also plants native species of shrubs and wildflowers to add biodiversity to the urban forest.
Examples of commonly planted trees include:
Root for Trees will plant rain or shine! However, in the event of severe weather, volunteer plantings may be shortened or cancelled for staff and public safety.
Severe weather conditions that would necessitate cancellation include:
Cancellation Policy: The City of Edmonton retains the right to modify or cancel the planting in the case of inclement weather and/or public safety.
All ages are welcome. We request that there be one responsible person over the age of 16 for every three children under 7 years old.
Any minor, below the age of 18, requires a parent or guardian to be present, and responsible for the minor, while volunteering with us.
Yes, Root for Trees plays a critical role in the landscape process of naturalization.
The fitness level for planting is from beginner to moderate. Planting is physical and does involve walking, bending down and digging with a shovel. The terrain may be flat or sloped, depending on the planting area. However, we encourage volunteers to take regular breaks and plant at their own pace. Volunteers can also choose to plant smaller stock, ask for assistance from Root for Trees staff, or work in pairs to plant.
Is your organization committed to a greener future? The City of Edmonton has a goal of planting 2 million more trees as the population grows! Your contributions can enhance the Root for Trees program, as well as help build a healthy, climate-resilient city.
Please contact us at rootfortrees@edmonton.ca to discuss for more information and to customize your sponsor, donor or partnership opportunity.
Sponsorship benefits are tailored to each partner but may include:
| Telephone | In Edmonton: 311 Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311 |
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| TTY | 780-944-5555 |
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| rootfortrees@edmonton.ca |
