In Ottawa, reaching the city’s 40% urban canopy cover target means looking beyond parks and public spaces. Much of the city’s planting potential lies on private property, where engaging residents and property managers is key.

To help unlock that potential, the City of Ottawa selected EnviroCentre to design and deliver a new private-land tree planting program on its behalf. The result is Plant Your Place!, a city program that provides free trees to residents and supports planting in neighbourhoods with lower canopy cover.

Through thoughtful program design, community outreach and large-scale logistics, the initiative is helping grow Ottawa’s urban forest, one tree at a time.

Designing a program for impact

EnviroCentre designed Plant Your Place! as a scalable, turnkey program that expands tree planting on private land while supporting Ottawa’s climate and urban forest goals.

The program was developed to:

• Increase urban canopy cover across the city
• Improve tree equity in neighbourhoods with lower canopy cover
• Follow best practices for tree selection and planting
• Make participation simple and accessible for residents

To achieve these goals, a two-stream program model that supports both resident-led tree planting and targeted planting in priority neighbourhoods was developed.

Two streams to grow the urban forest

Plant Your Place! expands tree planting through two complementary program streams, each designed to reach different parts of the community.

City-wide tree distribution

This stream empowers residents to plant trees on their own properties.

Through the program, 1,200 free trees were distributed to homeowners across Ottawa, with trees allocated across all 24 wards. Participants could choose from a variety of tree species suited to Ottawa’s climate and receive guidance on selecting and caring for their tree.

Residents picked up their trees at four distribution events across the city, where EnviroCentre staff and volunteers helped ensure a smooth experience.

By supporting residents in planting and caring for trees themselves, the program helps grow Ottawa’s urban canopy while encouraging long-term stewardship.

Full-service tree planting

The program’s second stream focuses on planting trees in neighbourhoods with lower canopy cover, particularly at social housing properties.

Through this initiative, 50 trees were planted free of charge at participating properties identified through the City of Ottawa’s tree equity analysis.

EnviroCentre coordinated the full process—from outreach and site assessments to tree selection and planting—working with professional contractors to ensure the trees were installed in locations where they could thrive.

By removing financial and logistical barriers, the program helps ensure the benefits of urban trees reach communities where additional canopy is most needed.

Delivering the program

EnviroCentre designed and delivered the program end-to-end, coordinating communications, outreach and operational delivery.

Our team developed participant resources, managed applications and coordinated tree distribution and planting across both program streams.

EnviroCentre also planned and delivered the city’s tree distribution events, overseeing site planning, logistics and volunteer coordination to ensure a seamless experience for participants.

Through close collaboration with the City of Ottawa and community partners, the program successfully reached residents across the city while maintaining a strong focus on accessibility and equity.

Program impact

In its first year, Plant Your Place! delivered 1,250 trees across Ottawa, meeting its initial program targets.

The program:

• Distributed 1,200 free trees to homeowners citywide
• Planted 50 trees in neighbourhoods with lower canopy cover

Feedback from residents and City officials has been overwhelmingly positive.

Designed as a scalable, multi-year initiative, the program is helping Ottawa take meaningful steps toward a healthier and more resilient urban forest.

2026 update: The program grows

Following a successful launch, Plant Your Place! is now in its second year of delivery.

With the program entering its second year, Plant Your Place! continues to grow Ottawa’s urban forest while helping the city move closer to its 40% canopy cover target. This year’s program will:

• Distribute 2,400 free trees to residents through eight public distribution events
• Expand the full-service planting stream to 100 trees at social housing properties in neighbourhoods with lower canopy cover

Let’s grow your city’s urban forest!

Interested in launching a tree planting program in your municipality?

EnviroCentre can help design and deliver turnkey initiatives that expand urban canopy cover — from program planning and outreach to tree distribution and planting.