City achieves forestry milestones and fourth Tree City of the World designation

Burlington, Ont.— May 14, 2026— As Burlington closes out one of its busiest tree planting weeks of the year and enters the peak of the spring planting season, the City is reporting on its progress in advancing key actions under its Urban Forest Master Plan and Woodland Management Strategy, and celebrating its Tree City of the World designation.

The City of Burlington has been recognized as a Tree City of the World by the Arbor Day Foundation and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. This marks the fourth consecutive year the City has received this honour, highlighting Burlington’s continued leadership in urban forestry and its commitment to protecting and enhancing its tree canopy.

Here’s a snapshot of the progress the City is making toward its UFMP goals, with support from the community:

• Making the Significant Tree Maintenance Rebate a permanent program in 2026, helping offset the cost of maintaining mature trees and enabling more residents to participate.
• Planting and giving away a record 2,000+ trees and shrubs in a single month through the 2026 Free Tree Giveaway and community planting events at Brant Hills Park, and Norton Park.
• Planting over 1,500 large trees on public property throughout Burlington in 2025.
• Over 6,400 small trees and shrubs planted for reforestation and afforestation purposes in 2025.
• Over 10,000+ trees pruned to help maintain tree health and storm resilience 2025.
• Reviewed 1,244 tree permit applications in 2025, helping guide appropriate tree removal, protection and replacement practices on public and private property.

For the latest information and forestry-related engagement opportunities, subscribe to getinvolvedburlington.ca/forestry.

Burlington is a city where people, nature and business thrive. Sign up to learn more about Burlington at burlington.ca/subscribe and follow @CityBurlington on social media.

Quotes

Mayor Marianne Meed Ward

“I’m proud that Burlington has once again been recognized as a Tree City of the World for the fourth year in a row. This recognition reflects the steady, long-term work underway to protect and grow our tree canopy. With the Urban Forest Master Plan guiding our work and strong community participation, we are continuing to grow Burlington’s urban forest as a key part of our climate resilience efforts. Programs like the City’s Significant Tree Maintenance Rebate Program and our Free Tree and Shrub Giveaway help residents play an active role in strengthening and expanding Burlington’s urban forest for future generations.”

Sophie Plitt, program manager at the Arbor Day Foundation

“Planting trees isn’t just about growing a canopy — it’s about nurturing a community. Across neighborhoods and nations, leaders like the City of Burlington are bringing us closer to a future where every city and town can thrive. We’re grateful to Burlington for their commitment to trees and proud to celebrate their role in this growing global movement.”

FAO Assistant Director-General and Forestry Division Director Zhimin Wu

“With more than 68 percent of the global population expected to reside in urban areas by 2050, it is more important than ever that cities should be green, vibrant, inclusive and resilient places for people and for nature. It is encouraging to see so many cities recognized as Tree Cities.”

Background:

Arbor Day Foundation

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they’ve answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners. And this is only the beginning.  

The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.

Food and Agriculture Organization

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO’s goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.

Through its Forestry Division, FAO seeks to restore forests, improve the lives of forest-dependent people, and support countries to manage their forests in a sustainable way. FAO also works to transform urban food systems, including through its Green Cities Initiative, which aims to make a tangible impact on the health and well-being of people in 1000 cities while actively addressing urbanization challenges. FAO’s work is fully aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, creating more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Links and Resources

• getinvolvedburlington.ca/forestry
• arborday.org

-30-