Amherstburg residents have an opportunity to grow the local tree canopy this month, with a free native tree giveaway and a community planting event taking place on April 25, 2026.
The town is hosting its annual Map and Grow tree giveaway starting at 9:00 a.m. at the Libro Centre. Residents can pick up a maximum of two native trees, including Kentucky Coffee Tree, Red Oak, Red Maple, Serviceberry, and Tulip Tree varieties, while supplies last.
In addition to the giveaway, volunteers are encouraged to help plant 100 trees at Jack Purdie Park, which is located at 609 Richmond St. The event aims to support the ongoing efforts of the town to increase forest cover, which is currently at 5.7 percent in Essex County—the lowest in Southwestern Ontario.
The giveaway is a partnership between the Town of Amherstburg and the University of Windsor’s School of the Environment. Researchers, led by Geospatial Learning Specialist Dr. Alice Grgicak-Mannion, use technology to map the trees provided through the program to monitor their long-term growth and health. Previous data indicates that the vast majority of trees distributed through this program remain healthy.
These initiatives are part of a broader municipal commitment to urban forestry that gained momentum following the town’s 2019 Climate Emergency declaration. The town is working toward a multi-year plan proposed by the community group Thrive Amherstburg to plant nearly 8,000 trees over five years, with yearly targets that scale up to 4,000 trees by the end of 2026.
