SWR is proud to share that this year, our shovels broke ground on 19 new microforests, each contributing to the naturalization of small urban spaces. Since our program began in 2021, we have planted 5,183 trees and shrubs across 55 microforests, steadily increasing the number of plantings each year. We are always delighted to welcome both returning and new partners, collaborators, and sponsors as our program continues to grow. Looking back on the year, it’s rewarding to reflect on our accomplishments, the communities we’ve served, and everyone who helped make this year so successful.
Where did we plant this year?
This year, our microforests found new homes in public spaces across Waterloo Region including:
- 6 schools with the Waterloo Region District School Board
- 1 school with the Waterloo Catholic District School Board – our first planting with this school board at St. Daniel
- 5 city parks in Kitchener
- 1 Fountain Street Soccer Complex in Cambridge
- 2 plantings at David Johnston Research & Technology Park
These plantings contribute to expanding urban canopy cover, creating greener, cooler, and more vibrant public spaces across Waterloo Region.
We were excited to return to Farm Mutual Re and Pfenning’s Organic Farm, celebrating our third year of planting at each and seeing how these microforests continue to thrive. Conestoga College, Waterloo Campus also joined our growing list of urban forests. It was wonderful to have faculty, staff and students join in on the planting.
Roots in Community
One of the year’s highlights was our very first community tree planting event at Mausser Park, co-hosted with the City of Kitchener as part of the 2025 Community Canopy program. It was an absolute pleasure to have Tim Louis, MP for Kitchener-Conestoga, and Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic join us for the occasion. Families, friends and neighbours of all ages came together to plant trees, roll up their sleeves, and celebrate nature. This planting was a huge success, and we hope to make it a regular tradition, bringing people together to grow our green spaces year after year. Thank you to the sponsors of this planting AET and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada.
Nurturing Nature: Our First Maintenance Planting
Another highlight of the year was our first-ever maintenance and replanting event. We returned to our inaugural microforest at Avenue Road Public School with a small but dedicated group of volunteers to carry out some replanting, re-mulching and litter cleanup. It was a wonderful opportunity to pause and reflect on how much the microforest program has grown. Interested in being part of our volunteer maintenance team? Reach out at microforests@sustainablewr.ca.
It was a fantastic year, filled with many ‘firsts’, familiar faces and new friends. The season was full of smiles, hard work and a shared sense of accomplishment. These moments not only helped our microforests thrive but also strengthened our community, leaving us excited for the year ahead.
If you’re interested in joining our Microforest Program, we’re already planning for 2026! Our goal is to plant 23 new microforests across the communities we serve, and we’re always looking for new partnerships and opportunities. Interested in sponsoring, volunteering, or hosting a microforest? Discover how you can get involved by reaching out to us at microforests@sustainablewr.ca.
A big thank you to our volunteers and sponsors of 2025!
Oak Level Sponsors: Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada
Birch Level Sponsors: Conestoga College, Enbridge, Equitable, Farm Mutual Re, Gore Mutual Insurance, Kindred Credit Union, MTE Consultants, Stantec, Transform Project, Township of Wellesley, University of Waterloo – School of Accounting and Finance, YNCU
Cedar Level Sponsors: AET Group, AGES Foundation, City of Cambridge (in-kind), City of Kitchener, City of Waterloo (in-kind), EY, Grand Valley Construction Association, Grandbridge Energy, Home Depot (in-kind), U-Haul (in-kind), Woolwich Township
Volunteers: AET Group, Conestoga College (students, faculty and staff), Enbridge, Equitable, EY, Farm Mutual Re, Gore Mutual Insurance, Grandbridge Energy, Kindred Credit Union, MTE Consultants, Stantec, Transform Project,Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, Township of Wellesley,University of Waterloo – School of Accounting and Finance students, Woolwich Township, YNCU