Forêt Capitale Forest

05/27/2026

On May 9th, we kicked off our planting season by helping to restore the understory of Hampton Park with the support of the National Capital Commission . 55 volunteers from the Friends of Hampton Park, the surrounding community, and from FCF’s volunteer network came out to join the planting fun on a beautiful sunny spring Saturday. Volunteers from Friends of Hampton Park have committed to long-term stewardship of the site, which fostered a greater sense of connection between participants and the forest. These trees are lucky already!

The interior of Hampton Park is designated as High Potential for Pre‑Contact Archaeology, requiring extra due diligence to be exercised while digging and planting. Volunteers and staff were fascinated watching volunteers from the NCC's Volunteer Archaeology Program as they screened the soil from planting holes. This was definitely a fun first for FCF!

A huge THANK YOU to all of our volunteers who helped with the archaeology and planting, and especially to the volunteers from Friends of Hampton Park for their extra support with planning, facilitating, and stewarding this project!

05/22/2026

uOttawa’s first tiny forest is officially taking root! Planted late last fall beside the Faculty of Health Sciences building, the site is now home to hundreds of native trees, shrubs, and groundcover plants. This Tiny Forest will create hands-on environmental learning opportunities for students right on uOttawa campus, while also supporting biodiversity, reducing heat and improving stormwater management.

We were proud to help support this project alongside many amazing community partners. Read the full article here: https://www.uottawa.ca/campus-life/news-all/tiny-forest-takes-root-uottawa

05/20/2026

Spring has officially sprung at the FCF Base of Operations! These tiny Pitch Pine and Red Pine seedlings are only a few days old - you can even still see their seed coats. We’re also seeing fresh willow cuttings rooting, tree buds blooming, and our potted tree deliveries are arriving at the farm. It’s always incredible to see a forest begin this small!

FCF's certified tree seed collectors gathered these seeds last year, and they will be ready to plant in 2027. Can you guess how many native tree species we're growing in 2026? Take a guess in the comments below ⬇️

05/15/2026

Can tiny forests make a meaningful difference in our cities?

This recent article from Be Giant takes a thoughtful look at the growing tiny forest movement in Canada, featuring both strong enthusiasm and some healthy skepticism around what these small urban forests can realistically achieve.

Foret Capitale Forest’s own Shelley Lambert is featured throughout the piece, sharing our perspective on community-led urban forestry and the role tiny forests can play in urban spaces. While tiny forests are not a single solution to climate change or biodiversity loss, we believe there is real value in creating accessible pockets of nature within cities. Even small spaces can provide habitat, help cool neighbourhoods, and reconnect people with the natural world around them.

Check out the full article here:

A new wave of intensive urban tree planting sets up a competition for resources — and helps trees grow up to 10 times faster

05/13/2026

✨🔥 Storytelling in Nature with Pierre Blin 🔥✨

📍 Just Food Community Farm, 2391 Pepin Court
📅 May 21, 2026; 7:00 - 8:30pm
🎟 Free - please RSVP here: justfoodfarmstand.com/event/storytelling-in-nature-with-pierre-blin/

Come join us for a story around the fire!

Led by storyteller and nature educator Pierre Blin, the first Storytelling in Nature event of the year will explore themes of fire, origin, and connection across cultures. The evening will include a retelling of "Coyote Steals Fire for the People", reflections on fire stories from around the world, and an outdoor activity featuring multiple fire-making techniques.

This free event is supported by Earth Path , Forest Therapy Ottawa, Foret Capitale Forest, and Birch Path Healing Forest. Donations are welcome to support future storytelling events.

05/08/2026

Kick off spring with us at 's annual Seedling Saturday, held tomorrow at the Just Food Community Farm from 10-2pm! Come enjoy some fresh air, great food, and seedlings from a variety of local vendors - including , who will be selling food-bearing tree and shrub seedlings in support of FCF's afforestation projects in the National Capital Region 🌱❤️

05/01/2026

🍽️ C'est Bon Ottawa kicked of their first culinary event of the season at the Just Food Community Farm🍁🐝🍃!
Folks from Australia, the USA, and across Canada toured the farm with Forêt Capitale Forest and community partners onsite. The tour concluded with a delicious meal made by 👨‍🍳Chef Georges Laurier 💫

05/01/2026

Looking to get involved this spring, but not sure where to start?

We’re launching a new series of Stewardship Workshops running throughout the summer! These hands-on sessions are designed to help you build both skills and confidence as an environmental steward at FCF sites. You’ll learn how to:

💧 Water effectively
🌿 W**d and care for young trees
🔍 Identify pressures like invasives, disease, and damage
👀 Assess when a site needs attention

Ideal for students wanting hands-on field experience, volunteers looking to get more involved, and anyone interested in supporting Ottawa’s growing green spaces. Our first workshop will take place on Friday, May 15th at our Aviation Parkway planting site. Additional dates will be announced soon, with workshops running monthly through to August. Check out our events calendar to register: https://foretcapitaleforest.ca/events/

04/22/2026

Happy ! 🌍

Are you looking for ways to take action this spring? Join us as we re-naturalize a former golf course along the NCC Greenbelt - an ongoing restoration project focused on expanding habitat, supporting biodiversity, and building a more resilient urban landscape.

📍 Location: 3798 Bank Street
📆 Dates: May 23rd, 26th, 29th
🔗 Details + Registration: foretcapitaleforest.ca/events

04/17/2026

We’re excited to be part of the AFMC Conference this weekend here in Ottawa! 🌱

As part of their efforts to reduce the environmental impact of travel, $15 from every registration has been directed toward carbon offset initiatives - this year, in support of Forêt Capitale Forest. These contributions will directly support our work planting and caring for urban forests in our communities.

If you’re attending, come visit us at our table to learn more about what we do and how to get involved!