Commemorating Charlottetown’s National Tree Day: Planting Resilience for the Future

Community Involvement in Urban Forest Restoration

Each September, National Tree Day provides Canadians with an opportunity to show appreciation for the vital contributions that trees make to our lives. This year in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Tree Canada is partnering with community volunteers to stage a unique tree-planting event. Beyond simple tree planting, it is about restoring natural areas, building resilience, and reimagining urban forests for future generations.

A towering tree shades a quiet residential street on a sunny day. Photo by Marty Aligata.

Using the Miyawaki Method to Boost Biodiversity

Volunteers will support the City of Charlottetown’s urban forestry and hurricane restoration goals by planting a variety of native trees, shrubs, and other plants.

Using an adapted version of the Miyawaki Method for Forest Restoration, volunteers will plant these species in dense arrangements, mimicking a model forest complete with food sources, habitats, and other services for both humans and local wildlife. This approach is meant to trigger forest development, foster natural succession, and deliver critical ecosystem services, foo,d and habitat for humans and animals alike.

An aerial view of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Photo by Martin Cathrae.

Adapting to Local Needs and Climate Challenges

This continuously adapted and improved use of the Miyawaki Method for Forest Restoration facilitates enhancements to local biodiversity in several ways.

Plant species are carefully chosen based on local needs, whether that’s increasing the number of certain species, balancing their presence, or maximizing the variety of ecosystem services they provide. This diversity supports more stable and fairly distributed ecosystem functions, which in turn strengthens biodiversity across other groups like animals and fungi.

Finally, considering climate change, preference is given to species that can endure high heat, strong winds, and drought. This provides natural strength to the increased biodiversity of the city forest.

A classic red-and-white lighthouse stands watch over the shoreline of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Photo by David Broad.

Building Climate Resilience Through Community Action

Charlottetown’s National Tree Day celebration is a positive step for restoring the environment and improving climate resilience. By involving the community and using methods like the Miyawaki approach, this project increases local biodiversity and creates a stronger bond between people and their environment.