October 3, 2025

Cornwall farmer Ross Grant planted 31,000 trees through the RRCA.

Got land? Plant trees! The Raisin Region Conservation Authority (RRCA) is calling on local landowners to consider converting fallow fields, fragile shorelines, barren fence lines, or vast lawns into thriving forests, buffers, hedgerows, or windbreaks. 

“Fall is a great time to start solidifying your spring planting plans,” says Cheyene Brunet, RRCA’s acting Stewardship Coordinator. “We’re currently booking free site consultations for landowners looking to plant 500 or more trees on their properties through our full-service program.” 

Since 1994, through its forestry programs, the conservation authority has added over 1.3 million trees to the local landscape – a number that keeps growing.

“Our region continues to benefit from decades of solid reforestation efforts, especially in terms of reduced erosion, improved drainage, and better flood mitigation,” says Brunet. “A strong tree cover also means cleaner air and water, more wildlife habitat, and greater biodiversity.”

Site consultations for qualifying property owners include assessments of the land’s characteristics, such as its topography, soil types and conditions, drainage, competing vegetation, and other features. The RRCA can then provide a recommended planting plan tailored to their land and goals.

Once a plan is ready, the RRCA guides site preparations, sources and plants seedlings, and conducts follow-up assessments. Thanks to a partnership with Forests Canada, ALUS Ontario East, and other partners, the RRCA can offer significant subsidies to property owners. 

"Whether you're looking to reduce wind erosion, establish a buffer zone, create wildlife habitat, or start a forest, RRCA’s comprehensive tree planting program is here to make the process simple," says Brunet. "We are still offering free site consultations, so we encourage property owners to reach out and take this opportunity to become stewards of their land while supporting the health and resilience of our local watersheds."

For smaller projects, the RRCA offers an over-the-counter seedling sale providing trees at low costs. For advance notice when the spring 2026 seedling application form becomes available this fall, residents can sign up to RRCA’s monthly newsletter at rrca.on.ca. For more information, and to book a free site consultation, visit rrca.on.ca/Trees or contact (613) 938-3611 or info@rrca.on.ca.