Residents of Whitchurch-Stouffville are invited to help restore local woodlands by participating in a Community Tree-Planting Day at the Davis Drive Tract on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Organized by York Region, the event offers volunteers of all ages the chance to plant native trees and remove Garlic Mustard, an invasive plant that crowds out native vegetation and prevents young trees from growing. The planting day is divided into two sessions: one from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and another from 12:30 to 2 p.m.
Those interested in attending must sign up in advance, as space is limited. Registration is available through the official online portal, where residents can also join a waitlist if sessions are full. Each volunteer will receive a tree seedling to take home as a souvenir of their work.
While the event organizers will provide gloves and shovels, supplies are limited, and participants are encouraged to bring their own gear. For pet owners, please note that while the forest area typically allows dogs off-leash, all dogs must be kept on a leash within the specific event area during the planting activity.
The Davis Drive Tract is a 60-hectare forest located on the Greenbelt that serves as an important habitat link between other local forest areas. This event continues the region’s long-term environmental goals, following a previous year where more than 123,000 trees and shrubs were planted across the region.
