Restoring Ontario’s Provincial Parks, Together

Parks are vital spaces with an impact that stretches far beyond their boundaries. They breathe life into our communities, support biodiversity and ecosystem health, and provide essential habitat for wildlife. They also help cool our cities, clean our air and water, and give us places for reflection, nature discovery and joy. Time spent in parks creates lasting memories and deepens our appreciation for the natural world that surrounds us.

In recent years, extreme storms, invasive species, and shoreline erosion have taken a serious toll on Ontario’s provincial parks. Many of these beautiful landscapes had been damaged in ways that natural regeneration alone can’t repair and needed a helping hand. That critical support was provided last fall and again this past spring, when Forests Canada and Ontario Parks collaborated to plant 12,000 native trees and shrubs in communities across the province.

Plant species and seed sources were carefully selected for each park based on site conditions and sourced from local nurseries to boost resilience and support existing ecosystems. Approximately 4,500 larger stock trees were planted across nine provincial parks, with an additional 7,500 seedlings planted at Samuel de Champlain to support recovery after extensive storm damage forced the park’s temporary closure in June 2025.

The plantings that took place across the following Ontario Parks was supported by the Species Conservation Program, helping to restore biodiversity and conserve species at risk and their habitats.

Recovery from Climate Events

Craigleith Provincial Park | McRae Point Provincial Park | Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park

While restoration efforts in these parks were focused primarily on recovery from extreme climate events – such as flooding, ice storms and windstorms – several were also impacted by Emerald Ash Borer, a highly destructive invasive beetle that attacks ash trees. Plantings in these parks focused on post-storm recovery as well as long-term resilience against known invasive species.

Newly planted trees were enclosed in wire cages to protect them from browsing wildlife. Once they have become established, the cages will be removed and reused at new plantings within the parks. In years to come, many of the trees will produce seeds and cones as a food source for animals and create habitat for wildlife.

Recovery and Prevention of Invasive Species

Charleston Lake Provincial Park | Emily Provincial Park | Presqu'ile Provincial Park | Sibbald Point Provincial Park

Many parks across Ontario have been heavily impacted by invasive plants, insects and diseases. The Emerald Ash Borer is one such insect that has had catastrophic impacts to native ash tree populations. Without intervention, the cycle of degradation would continue. The planting of other native tree species to increase plant diversity in these parks will help local forests be better equipped to resist future damage by this beetle and other invasive attacks.

Shoreline Restoration

Rock Point Provincial Park | Turkey Point Provincial Park

Shoreline erosion doesn’t just reshape the land; it decreases water quality and increases the risk of flooding. In parks experiencing these impacts, newly planted trees will play a crucial role in stabilizing shorelines. As they grow, their roots help anchor soils, reduce sediment loss, mitigate flooding impacts, and create healthier habitat for wildlife and people.

If you plan to visit any one of these beautiful provincial parks this summer, please be sure to look out for the newly planted trees and shrubs and share a photo with us on our social channels.