Greening Strategy
As our blueprint for on-the-ground action, York Region’s Greening Strategy creates and maintains healthy natural environments that foster sustainable communities now and for the future. It outlines programs and activities such as tree planting, stewardship, education and conserving natural lands with a focus on partnering with local organizations and residents through the following action areas:
- Environmental Land Protection and Preservation
- Community Stewardship and Education
- Enhancement and Rehabilitation
- Innovation and Knowledge
Developed in 2001, the Greening Strategy has helped York Region achieve the following over the past two decades:
- Form over 50 strategic partnerships to help deliver programs and activities
- Secure more than 1,500 hectares (approximately 3,750 acres) of land for conservation
- Plant over 1.7 million trees
- Reach thousands of participants annually through education and outreach
- Be recognized as a Tree City of the World
Learn more about our achievements:
- 2022 Greening Strategy
- 2021 State of the Forest: Reporting Progress on Canopy and Woodland Cover
- 2019 Greening Strategy Achievements
As part of a 10-year review and refinement, the public was invited to participate in an online survey in fall 2021 to help ensure the Greening Strategy continues to evolve to respond to environmental challenges and meet the changing needs of York Region’s diverse communities. Feedback was gathered from over 900 participants.
See the results in the York Region Greening Strategy Refinement: What You Said in 2021 report.
Survey results helped inform the refined Greening Strategy adopted by York Regional Council on May 26, 2022, which commits to continuing and expanding core programs, developing new partnerships and piloting new programs to offer residents more opportunities to get involved.
Visit york.ca/forestry to learn more about our programs and how you can participate.
