Residents in Barrie are being encouraged to help grow the local urban forest as Living Green Barrie hosts a series of community events running from May through October 2026. The environmental charity is inviting the public to participate in several free tree-planting sessions, with the next sessions set for May 14 and May 28.
The upcoming planting events are part of the broader 10,000 Trees for Barrie campaign, an initiative aiming to increase the city’s tree canopy. Since the program began in 2019, nearly 5,000 native trees have been planted across the city. These planting days are co-sponsored by the City of Barrie and the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority.
Data from 2018 showed that Barrie’s tree canopy cover was 30.5 percent, with roughly 71 percent of that canopy located on private land. Because more than 75 percent of the total land in Barrie is privately owned, the organization notes that local property owners play a vital role in maintaining the city’s green infrastructure. Volunteers are encouraged to register for the planting events through the Living Green Barrie events page, where high school students can also find information on earning volunteer hours.
Beyond the tree-planting sessions, the season includes several other community-focused activities. Residents can participate in a native plant gardening workshop and a community bike ride on June 20, a Repair Café on July 18, a Harvest Share on September 12, a Gala in the Woods on September 26, and a final tree-planting event on October 24. For those interested in getting involved or learning more, the organization can be reached at 705-715-2255.
