Forests Canada

What Forests Canada does

Forests Canada is a national charity founded in 1950 and headquartered in Barrie, Ontario, dedicated to restoring and growing Canada's forests. The organization operates a vertically integrated forest recovery system spanning seed collection and forecasting (managing 200M+ viable seeds annually), subsidized tree planting programs (covering 50-90% of project costs for landowners planting 500+ trees), post-fire recovery coordination, and educational programming. Since 2004, Forests Canada has supported the planting of over 50 million trees across 10,400+ restoration projects in 10 provinces, with cumulative deployment exceeding $90M over the past 12 years. The organization's technology stack centers on a proprietary Seed Forecasting System, a Live Impact Dashboard tracking environmental metrics, and a multi-step Restoration Program Application System connecting landowners with local planting partners.

The business model combines donation-based and program-based revenue streams: individual donations (one-time, monthly, workplace, legacy giving including bequests and RRSPs), corporate partnerships and sponsorships, government grants (e.g., Ontario Species Conservation Program), and landowner cost-sharing for planting projects. Customer segments include private landowners, Indigenous communities (via the Shared Pathways reconciliation program), corporate partners, government and conservation authorities, and K-12 educational audiences. Distribution is delivered through a trusted network of planting partners, conservation authorities, and forestry professionals rather than direct retail channels.

Forests Canada rebranded from Forests Ontario in 2024 to reflect its national scope, and recent strategic moves in 2026 — including a National Working Group on Post-Fire Forest Recovery Practices, a Forest Restoration After Wildfire report, a BC partnership with Cariboo Carbon Solutions for 2.3M trees, and the Take Root urban planting program — signal an accelerating pivot toward wildfire-driven restoration demand and geographic expansion beyond Ontario.

Name

Forests Canada

Legal name

Forests Canada

Website

https://forestscanada.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Forests Canada is a national charity founded in 1950 that restores Canada's forests through subsidized tree planting, seed forecasting, and post-fire recovery programs. It serves landowners, Indigenous communities, corporate partners, government agencies, and students, having supported the planting of over 50 million trees since 2004.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Forest Restoration Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Forestry (115310), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products (1132)

SIC

Forestry (800), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Forestry & Indigenous Land Stewardship Services (IMAMAJAM), Tree Planting & Establishment Services (Manual/Mechanized) (AFAMACAE), Forest Carbon Projects & Ecosystem Services (Carbon Credits, Biodiversity) (IMAMAAAJ), Urban & Community Reforestation / Street Tree Planting (AFAMACAL)

Keywords

• Forest restoration services
• Tree planting programs
• Reforestation funding
• Seed forecasting services
• Environmental education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Barrie

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations through one-time, monthly, celebration, memorial, and workplace giving programs. Revenue is generated through voluntary contributions from individuals supporting forest restoration causes.
2. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Revenue from corporate partners who sponsor programs, events, and restoration projects. Includes workplace giving programs and event collaborations.
3. Program Cost Sharing: Landowners contribute to costs of tree planting projects based on project size, species, site preparation, and planting method. Funding covers 50-90% of total project costs.
4. Legacy Giving: Gifts in wills, life insurance, securities, RRSPs/RRIFs, and charitable remainder trusts. Plan your legacy as an environmental leader.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Forests Canada is a national charity that restores and grows Canada's forests through subsidized tree planting programs for landowners (Plant Trees With Us / 50 Million Tree Program), seed collection and forecasting infrastructure (200+ million viable seeds managed annually), post-fire forest recovery coordination via a National Working Group, Indigenous-led reconciliation planting (Shared Pathways), urban tree distribution (Take Root), the Highway of Heroes tribute campaign, and K-12 environmental education (Ontario Envirothon, Forestry in the Classroom, Tree Bee, Focus on Forests). All programs are funded primarily through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, government grants, and landowner cost-sharing, with planting costs subsidized at 50-90% for eligible projects of 500+ trees.

Product overview

Forests Canada operates as a national charity focused on forest restoration and education, offering a portfolio of interconnected programs rather than a single software product. The core offering includes tree planting programs (Plant Trees With Us, 50 Million Tree Program) that provide funding support to landowners, seed forecasting services to ensure tree planting infrastructure, and post-fire recovery initiatives including a National Working Group and research reports. Educational programs encompass Ontario Envirothon (academic competition), Forestry in the Classroom (volunteer expert presentations), Tree Bee (tree identification), and Focus on Forests (curriculum-linked resources). Community engagement includes Shared Pathways (Indigenous reconciliation tree planting) and Take Root (urban tree distribution). The organization accepts donations through multiple channels including one-time, monthly, celebration, and legacy giving options. All programs are delivered through a network of planting partners, conservation authorities, and community organizations across Canada's provinces and territories.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TreeBee.ca: Tree identification tool for communities, families and classrooms
• ItTakesAForest
• TreeLine
• Our Forest Magazine

Products and services

• Plant Trees With Us A tree planting program that makes increasing forest cover easier and more affordable for landowners by significantly reducing costs for projects of a minimum of 500 trees. Supports afforestation, riparian buffer planting, windbreak establishment, and forest restoration project types across Canada.
• 50 Million Tree Program A large-scale tree planting initiative that supports landowners with funding to make tree planting more affordable, helping to increase forest cover across Canada.
• Seed Forecasting A program that collects tree seeds, tracks their development, and compiles information about tree seed availability, location, type, and quantity to strengthen Canada's tree planting infrastructure. Forests Canada collects and manages more than 200 million viable seeds annually to ensure reliable tree supply for future projects.
• Shared Pathways A reconciliation-focused program providing support for First Nations communities and organizations in creating spaces for sharing stories, restoring connections to land through ecological restoration, and highlighting Indigenous leadership in forest stewardship.
• Take Root A community-powered initiative providing residents access to low- or no-cost native trees for their homes and neighbourhoods, with education on urban tree canopy importance, tree selection, and planting and care techniques.
• National Working Group on Post-Fire Forest Recovery Practices A multidisciplinary working group supporting coordinated national action, knowledge exchange, and development of best practices for post-fire reforestation and forest resilience, with expertise spanning restoration, forest management, silviculture, post-fire ecology, Indigenous knowledge, nursery operations, and policy.
• UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration Forests Canada's program delivered under its official designation as a Restoration Implementer of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, promoting ecosystem protection, conservation, and revitalization worldwide.
• Ontario Envirothon An environmentally-themed academic competition for students in grades 9-12 that provides hands-on experience with forests, soils, wildlife, and aquatic ecosystems, with team-based activities designed to develop critical thinking and environmental leadership.
• Forestry in the Classroom A program that matches schools and community groups with forestry and natural resource practitioners to facilitate hands-on forest lessons for grades 4-12 on topics including tree identification, forest careers, invasive species, and forest management.
• Tree Bee An interactive tree identification resource tool and program for communities, families, and students in grades 4-6, helping participants recognize common Ontario tree species through interactive activities and educational resources.
• Focus on Forests A collection of free curriculum-linked educational resources including lesson plans, study guides, activities, fact sheets, and presentations for K-12 teachers covering topics such as biodiversity, climate change, and forestry careers.
• Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign A tribute program planting 2 million trees along Highway 401 from Cornwall to Windsor in honour of Canadian armed forces members, past and present.
• Donations and Fundraising Charitable giving programs accepting one-time and monthly donations, celebration donations, workplace giving, and legacy gifts (wills, life insurance, securities, RRSPs/RRIFs, and charitable remainder trusts) to support forest restoration and education programs across Canada.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50+ million trees planted since 2004
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Ontario Power GenerationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOPG partnership resulted in planting 10 million native trees and shrubs across Ontario. Multiple collaborations including support for Shared Pathways events and reconciliation plantings.
• Greenbelt FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Greenbelt Foundation nearing one-million-tree milestone in Ontario's Greenbelt, with 750,000 trees planted since 2022 to enhance near-urban and rural forest cover.
• Integrity ReforestationcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWorking closely to restore the Ogoki Forest in Northern Ontario after devastating 2023 wildfires. Planting over 3 million trees by hand over two years, with 2.2 million trees already planted.
• Tree CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in Ogoki Forest restoration project alongside Integrity Reforestation, Agoke Development LP, and Arbor Day Foundation.
• Arbor Day FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in Ogoki Forest restoration project supporting post-wildfire recovery in Northern Ontario.
• Agoke Development LPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous partnership collaboration in Ogoki Forest restoration project for post-wildfire recovery.
• Cariboo Carbon SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with forestry consulting firm to plant 2.3 million trees in British Columbia areas devastated by 2023 Bush Creek East wildfire, with 100,000 trees already planted in North Shuswap and Criss Creek.
• Bruce Trail ConservancymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOver 20 years of partnership planting more than 2 million trees within 1km of the Bruce Trail to restore and reconnect forest cover along the Niagara Escarpment corridor.
• Ontario ParkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlanted 12,000 native trees and shrubs across nine provincial parks to restore areas impacted by extreme weather, invasive species, and shoreline erosion.
• Saugeen Valley Conservation AuthoritycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLong-standing planting partner that has planted 25 million trees as part of Conservation Authorities across Ontario initiative.
• Toronto and Region Conservation AuthoritycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner hosting field tours at Albion Hills Conservation Area for Annual Planting Partners Meeting, showcasing ecological restoration approaches.
• Indigenous Partners NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork includes Assembly of First Nations, Beausoleil First Nation, Kayanase Greenhouse, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, Moose Deer Point First Nation, Plenty Canada, South Nation Conservation, and Survivors' Secretariat for reconciliation-focused restoration.
• Nottawasaga Valley Conservation AuthoritymajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPlanted 8,000 native trees in 2026 near the Bruce Trail in partnership with Forests Canada.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Tree Canada: Canada's other national tree-planting charity, running community planting programs, urban forestry initiatives, and tree giveaway campaigns. Most directly comparable peer in terms of mission, donor base, and program mix.
• Evergreen Canada: Canadian nonprofit focused on urban forestry, school ground greening, and city-building through naturalization. Comparable as a Canadian environmental charity delivering nature-based programs with corporate and government funding.
• One Tree Planted: Global reforestation nonprofit operating a low-friction donor-to-planting model with corporate partnerships. Comparable business model (donor-funded tree planting at scale) with broader geographic reach.
• Nature Conservancy of Canada: Canada's largest land conservation charity, securing and stewarding natural areas including forest habitat. Comparable as a national environmental nonprofit with corporate partnerships, donor base, and conservation mandate.
• Ducks Unlimited Canada: Canadian wetland and habitat conservation charity with a major forestry and landowner stewardship component. Comparable as a national conservation nonprofit delivering habitat restoration with donor and government funding.
• Cariboo Carbon Solutions: Forestry consulting and planting partner working with Forests Canada on BC wildfire recovery. Comparable as a privately-held forestry services firm delivering post-wildfire planting at scale.

Broad incumbents

• Arbor Day Foundation: The largest tree-planting nonprofit globally, with the most recognized brand in the sector. Direct collaborator on the Ogoki Forest project. Functions as a broad incumbent with significantly larger scale and US-centric operations.
• WWF-Canada: Large established environmental nonprofit operating across species, climate, and habitat in Canada. Functions as a broad incumbent with overlapping corporate partnership, donor, and policy channels.

Regional players

• Conservation Ontario: Network of Ontario's 36 conservation authorities — Forests Canada's most important implementation channel (25M trees planted). Comparable as a regional delivery organization for conservation programs and landowner services.

Others

• Greenbelt Foundation: Ontario charitable foundation funding near-urban forest cover (750K+ trees planted in partnership). Functions as a partner/funder with adjacent mandate rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@forestscanada
• Facebookfacebook.com/forestscanada
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/forests-canada
• Instagraminstagram.com/ForestsCanada
• Xx.com/forestscanada

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Forests Canada