Did you know that the average canopy cover across Toronto sits at approximately 27%? Notably, 23 Neighbourhood Improvement Areas have even lower canopy covers than this citywide average. If you reside in one of these areas, whether as a homeowner or a renter with landlord approval, you have a unique opportunity to make a difference. With support from the Arbor Day Foundation, Salesforce and the City of Toronto, LEAF is proud to offer the Toronto Low-Canopy Neighbourhood Initiative as a step towards addressing tree equity across the city. We’ll help you determine the perfect trees or shrubs that can be planted on your property, completely free of charge. This is a great way to enhance your environment and contribute to a healthier, more vibrant community!
To determine if your address falls within an eligible NIA, use the City of Toronto’s “Find Your Neighbourhood” website here. If your address is one of the 23 below-average canopy NIAs listed below, you can apply to one of our planting programs to receive your free items! If you live outside an eligible NIA and still want to plant, do not fret! LEAF also offers our regular programing at subsidized pricing for all other Toronto, York Region and Durham Region residents.
*Eligible NIAs Include: Beechborough-Greenbrook, Black Creek, Downsview, Eglinton East, Glenfield-Jane Heights, Golfdale-Cedarbrae-Woburn, Humber Summit, Humbermede, Ionview, Keelesdale-Eglinton West, Kennedy Park, Kingsview Village-The Westway, Mount Olive-Silverstone-Jamestown, Oakdale-Beverley Heights, Regent Park, Rockcliffe-Smythe, Rustic, South Parkdale, Thorncliffe Park, Weston, Weston-Pelham Park, Woburn North, York University Heights
As a homeowner (or renter with landlord permission), you can receive one free tree and up to three free shrubs per year for your single-dwelling residential property. Multi-unit complexes (e.g., apartment towers or townhouses) as well as business properties are eligible to receive up to three free trees and up to five free shrubs per year, subject to available space. If you are not the owner, we encourage you to get in touch with your landlord to speak about this opportunity and start an application. It's a first-come, first-served basis, so don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to beautify your space and help green your neighbourhood!
Tree Equity: The foundation of our new pilot project
Tree equity refers to the fair distribution of trees and green spaces within a community, ensuring that all neighborhoods, regardless of socioeconomic status or demographics, have equal access to the benefits that trees provide. However, due to many discriminatory polices, urban areas often have an imbalance where lower-income and racialized communities have limited tree coverage.
It is important to remind ourselves that trees serve as more than just decorations in our lives; they are critical green infrastructure that provide health, economic and environmental benefits that all residents should have. Achieving tree equity involves initiatives to plant trees in racialized communities, thereby improving air quality, reducing urban heat islands, enhancing aesthetics and promoting overall well-being for residents.
This pilot project is one step in working towards tree equity in Toronto. We are excited about fostering a deeper connection with the communities we already serve and moving towards a more equitable city where all residents can benefit from a thriving urban forest.
Why is LEAF offering this incentive in select NIAs?
Neighbourhood Improvement Areas (NIAs) are neighbourhoods designated by the City of Toronto under the Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy. These neighbourhoods typically face the most inequitable (unnecessary, unfair and unjust) outcomes in five key areas: economic opportunities, social development, healthy lives, participation in decision-making and physical surroundings.
This project targets low-canopy NIAs (defined as having below Toronto’s average canopy cover) as our highest priority, with hopes of getting trees into the ground for the communities that need them most.
Applications for spring 2024 are open!
The NIA incentive works alongside both our Backyard Tree Planting and Multi-unit and Businesses programs. You’ll get all the services provided by these programs, such as on-site consultation with one of our arborists, tree and shrub recommendations, delivery and planting services, mulch and tree care guides. The only difference is you’ll get all this for free!
If you’re interested in tree planting services for your yard, visit the Toronto homeowners page and select either the Full-Service or Do-It-Yourself tree planting program to apply today! For Multi-Units or Business properties, visit our Multi-Unit & Businesses page.
If you are interested in receiving shrubs only, please visit our Shrubs page and send your request to info@yourleaf.org. Be sure to mention your interest in this incentive when you email.
Jon is the Residential Planting Programs Field Coordinator at LEAF
The Toronto Low-Canopy Neighbourhood Greening Initiative is supported by the Arbor Day Foundation, Salesforce and the City of Toronto.
LEAF offers a subsidized Backyard Tree Planting Program for private property. The program is supported by the City of Toronto, the Regional Municipality of York, the City of Markham, the Town of Newmarket, the Regional Municipality of Durham, the Town of Ajax, the Township of Brock, the Municipality of Clarington, the City of Oshawa, the City of Pickering, the Township of Scugog, the Town of Whitby and Ontario Power Generation.
