Sharing a little hope this World Environment Day

June 5 is the United Nations World Environment Day and the theme for this year is “A Global Call for Climate Action”. The UN website states: “The Earth is already speaking to us – through record-breaking temperatures, more intense wildfires, extreme storms and glaciers disappearing before our eyes.”

Even with climate change reshaping life across the planet, it’s important to remember that another force is also gaining momentum: collective action.

That’s why this World Environment Day, we want to share recent news that we think will give you one of the most important things you can have today: hope!

May 20: Forests Canada released a report titled Forest Restoration After Wildfire: Knowledge Gaps and Future Needs Analysis. The aim of the report is to identify how decision-making processes for post-fire recovery are changing in the wake of the increasing intensity and severity of wildfires. Combined with our new National Working Group on Post-Fire Forest Recovery Practices, these projects will spread hope for a more resilient future for Canada’s forests!

May 25: Forests Canada and the Greenbelt Foundation announced that the two organizations were nearing the one-million-tree milestone in Ontario’s Greenbelt. The Greenbelt is an 800,000-hectare mosaic of forests, farmlands, wetlands, grasslands, rivers, and urban areas situated within the most densely populated region of Canada. These trees will sequester carbon, create new wildlife habitat, improve erosion control and water quality – and provide hope for local communities!

May 27: Forests Canada and Ontario Parks announced the planting of 12,000 native trees and shrubs across nine provincial parks: Charleston Lake, Craigleith, Emily, McRae Point, Presqu'ile, Rock Point, Samuel de Champlain, Sibbald Point, and Turkey Point Provincial Parks. These plantings will grow hope by restoring the natural beauty and supporting species conservation in provincial parks impacted by extreme weather events, invasive species, tree loss due to insects and disease, or shoreline erosion.

June 2: The 2026 Ontario Envirothon Champions from University of Toronto Schools were announced! Ontario Envirothon is a unique, environmentally-themed academic competition that immerses students in hands-on learning and discovery while building STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) skills. As the lead agency of Ontario Envirothon, Forests Canada is proud to create hope by helping to inspire the next generation of environmental leaders.

All these hopeful moments wouldn’t have been possible without the passionate support of our donors and dedicated partners. Our thanks to you and every donor and partner who shares our vision for diverse, resilient, thriving forests today and for future generations

This World Environment Day, please remember that:

• 87% of Canadians believe that forests are a vital part of our national identity.
• 67% of Canadians think restoring forests after wildfires and extreme weather is a priority and knowing they can help restore forests gives them a sense of hope!

If you’d like to feel a little more hopeful about the future of Canada’s forests this World Environment Day:

Please Donate Today