Land Care Niagara works with rural landowners to promote and execute successful tree planting projects that increase forest interior and reconnect our fragmented natural areas. By partnering with private contractors, other funder’s and agencies, since 2000, we have planted over 1.4 million native trees and shrubs in a focused manner directed towards the protection and enhancement of Niagara’s natural resources. LCN is the local delivery agent for Forests Ontario’s 50 Million Tree Program for the Niagara Region. The Niagara Natural Heritage Ecological Framework (NNHEF) will see hundreds of thousands of native trees strategically planted in the Niagara Region. Planting areas are based on the Natural Heritage Ecological Framework map (click here to see map) produced in 1998. Utilizing leading-edge landscape ecology principals, satellite imagery, Geographic Information Systems, and the habitat spatial model the framework was developed in conjunction with Ontario Power Services, local ecologists, naturalists and foresters. The framework document and its recommendations deal with the issues of forest fragmentation, loss of forest cover, wildlife habitat and bio-diversity in the Niagara Region. If your property falls within the framework areas you may receive priority in our selection process. By targeting our conservation efforts to increase forest interior and reconnect our fragmented natural areas we contribute to a healthier Niagara and help secure a legacy for our children and future generations.
Rural Tree Planting
How do I Apply?
If you own land in the Niagara Region and are interested in planting a minimum of one (1) acre of trees on your property, you might be eligible for this program. Step 1. Read our Information Package for information on costs, requirements, timelines & project overview. Step 2. Complete & submit our online form here in order to see if your property is eligible to be part of our Rural Tree Planting Program.
Testimonials
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“Amazing, the Land Care Niagara team was amazing and the contractor who planted the trees respected the property and vision for the site” Rural Tree Planting Program 2026 recipient
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“Amazing communication and staff” Rural Tree Planting Program 2026 recipient
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Land Care Niagara (LCN) has an innovative and tremendously effective habitat restoration program. I was fortunate to work with the organization to help restore land devastated by the emerald ash borer, by planting over 600 native trees and shrubs. Not only were the staff highly knowledgeable and professional, but they were also an absolute pleasure to work with. LCN is a wonderful organization, and I would highly recommend them to anyone interested in restoring or rewilding their property.
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Working with Land Care Niagara (LCN) has been an excellent experience. The employees of LCN have all been excellent to deal with and clearly are all very committed to protecting and improving the natural environment. We are very happy with the final result and anxious to see the seedlings grow and develop to fill in our forest which had been decimated by the ash borer.
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“Land Care Niagara was organized and efficient with the site meet and planting day. They did a great job.” Rural Tree Planting Program 2020 & 2025 recipient
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“The Stewardship manager, was very organized and prompt with any questions that we had regarding the planting. The tree planters did a great job in getting the trees planted. The quality of the tree stock was excellent!” Rural Tree Planting Program 2025 recipient
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“A very positive experience – LCN staff were organized, professional, communicative and, best of all, fun to be around. If I had more space, I’d let them fill it with more trees!” Rural Tree Planting Program 2019 & 2024 recipient
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“Very professional and well organized, from planning to planting, the team did an amazing job. Land Care Niagara has pleasure to work with, you can tell they really care about what they are doing.” Rural Tree Planting Program 2020 & 2024 recipient.
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“I can’t thank LCN’s team enough for all of their hard work. My wife and I are very happy and very proud of our choice for our property. Seeing the older trees growing up is exciting especially when we now see birds landing and playing with them. We walk our dogs through the planting all the time and always remember how fortunate we are. Your team has done the best thing that could happen there, all for the environment.” Rural Tree Planting Program 2019 & 2024 recipient.
Previous Tree Planting Sites in Niagara
A Field Guide to Planting Trees in Niagara
With support from the Greenbelt Foundation, Land Care Niagara have developed an evidence-based field guide of tree planting practices, that can improve the survival rates of trees and which can be employed within the capabilities of nonprofessional organizations. The guide was crafted by analyzing planting data and survival results from LCN tree planting sites and partner sites dating back to 2007. We then partnered with Niagara based native tree experts: nursery owners, local arborists, and foresters about tree planting practices, to bring all of their wealth of knowledge into one collaborative guide. This guide provides lessons learned over decades of tree planting in Niagara, and empowers people with the knowledge required to be great environmental land stewards.
