Nova Scotia's Thriving Forests
Help us plant the forests of tomorrow.Thriving Forests, administered by Clean Foundation, supports Nova Scotia’s contribution to Canada’s efforts to tackle climate change, mitigate biodiversity loss and secure healthy forest ecosystems for future generations.
Thriving Forests is supporting the province to plant up to 21 million trees by 2031 on private and public lands, which reflects the joint investment announced by Canada and Nova Scotia in August 2024, with federal funding from the Government of Canada’s 2 Billion Trees program.
Qualifying projects will be fully funded to receive trees and planting.
Trees planted under this program will help:
- Restore forest health and biodiversity
- Reduce greenhouse gases
- Build a reliable supply of local seeds
- Support local nurseries, organizations and communities
Nova Scotia’s Thriving Forests plants a mix of tree species native to the province’s Wabanaki-Acadian and boreal forests, sourced from seeds in Atlantic Canada.
How can you get involved?
We’re calling on landowners, land stewards, forestry professionals and other contractors to help ensure we plant the right trees in the right spaces. Choose from the options below to learn more.
I have land that needs trees.
Eligibility
If you own or care for at least 2.5 hectares of land (about six acres) that you feel is suitable for planting, we’d like to hear from you. We welcome expressions of interest from organizations and individuals, including:
- Governments (Indigenous, federal, provincial and municipal)
- Organizations and companies (not-for-profit and for-profit)
- Indigenous organizations and communities
- Community land trusts
- Private landowners
Project types
All projects must take place on at least 2.5 hectares (about six acres) of suitable land that would benefit from having additional trees planted. Projects cannot be part of business-as-usual commercial forestry activities.
Planting projects may take place on:
- Retired agricultural land or grassy fields
- Decommissioned road areas
- Locations where trees may improve biodiversity and habitat
- Regions where wildfire, weather or pests have impacted a critical habitat
We encourage interested applicants to share their additional ideas for program participation.
How to participate
- Review the program overview.
- Fill out the online form to express your interest. Please share contact information for any specific supplier that you wish to work with.
- All applicants will be contacted to discuss their potential project.
- Qualifying projects will be further developed with the support of our team, for review and approval by a provincial forestry panel.
We accept expressions of interest on a rolling basis, with projects being planned 1-2 years in advance of planting. Project planning is underway for the 2026-2027 spring and fall planting seasons and beyond.
I'm a forestry service provider or supplier.
The support of forestry professionals is vital to program success. This includes service providers like tree planting personnel, site preparation services and suppliers of materials and seed stock.
If your organization can support tree planting projects under Nova Scotia’s Thriving Forests program, we invite you to join our registry by submitting your business information here.
By joining our registry, your organization can receive new business opportunities to support upcoming planting projects in your service area.
Help identify native seed trees
Do you have a group of mature trees that bear seeds? Let us know!
Our seed collection program is the first step in creating a sustainable supply chain of native species.
If you know of a group of seed trees on your property and/or have permission to harvest seeds, please fill out the form below.
Your insights can help Nova Scotia’s Thriving Forests build a reliable supply of local seeds, ensuring a healthy stock of native tree species are available for planting in our region.
Get in touch.
For general inquiries about Nova Scotia’s Thriving Forests, please contact:
Nova Scotia’s Thriving Forests is supported by:
