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 and a half decades:

Become the first municipality in the world to achieve certification under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standards demonstrating leadership in forestry and sustainability management and best practices
Be recognized as a Tree City of the World
Celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the York Regional Forest, marking York Region’s strong commitment to protecting and restoring the natural environment
Form over 50 strategic partnerships to help deliver programs and activities
Plant over 1.7 million trees
Secure more than 1,500 hectares (approximately 3,750 acres) of land for conservation
Reach thousands of participants annually through education and outreach

Learn more about our achievements:

Visit york.ca/Forestry to learn more about our programs and how you can participate.