Mer Bleue Community Tree Planting

Oct 16
10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Mer Bleue Planting Site

Russell Rd, Ottawa, ON K0A 1K0
Ottawa

This event is open to the public.

Are you the type of person who is always up for a challenge? We’re searching for intrepid volunteers who are interested in helping us plant 1,500 trees as part of a large afforestation project in the Mer Bleue sector. Thanks to the generous support of Trees For Life and the International Congress on Academic Medicine this project will bring new life to a beautiful site that’s more remote and rugged than our typical urban planting locations. It’s the perfect opportunity for those with a bold and adventurous tree-planting spirit!

No experience is required — we’ll provide all the tools, training, and guidance you need. This is a family-friendly event, welcoming individuals, groups, and children of all ages. Please note: due to the uneven terrain, the site may not be suitable for participants with mobility concerns.

Volunteer spots are limited to ensure a meaningful, hands-on experience, so we encourage early registration to secure your place.

Why are we planting here?

This site was highlighted in our Afforestation Plan as a high-priority suitable afforestation location, which provides a unique opportunity to expand the Mer Bleue – Larose Forest ecological corridor. There are two large Natural Heritage Sites and conservation areas east of Ottawa; Mer Bleue Bog and Larose Forest. The two areas are major ecological features in the region and creating a natural linkage between the Mer Bleue Bog and Larose Forest presents an excellent area of focus for afforestation efforts.

This forest resides on the traditional and un-ceded territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin. It was planted in fall 2024 (1,500 trees) and fall 2025 (1,300 trees) within the Mer Bleue Sector of the Greenbelt owned by the National Capital Commission. This planting is directly along the north and south banks of Bearbrook Creek. The site is planted with a variety of native trees and shrubs that make up the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence forest type. Furthermore, many of species planted were chosen as they are suitable for riparian areas.

This forest was planted as the first site of a mulit-year and large scale effort to afforest an important corridor within the eastern part of Ottawa. Due to many land suitability factors including a close proximity to water, conservation areas and Natural Heritage Sites this forest will lead to an enhanced impact on ecosystem services and local biodiversity, potentially creating a wildlife corridor east of Ottawa.

DIRECTIONS

Mer Bleue Planting Site (North of Bearbrook Creek)
Across from 4108 Hall Road
Carlsbad Springs, ON
K0A 1K0

Please refer to the site map below for the exact meeting point.

  • Site Map

Free parking is available along Hall Road.

  • Wear clothes that you find easy to move in and closed-toed shoes.
  • We recommend wearing long pants and waterproof footwear.
  • Dress according to the weather.
  • Bring drinking water, as there is no access to running water on-site. We will have a cooler of drinking water available should you need to refill.
  • Optional: Your favourite gardening gloves. FCF will provide gloves if you don’t have any.

If you have any questions, please contact us at comms@foretcapitaleforest.ca. We look forward to seeing you there!

Think you’re up for the challenge?

Register Here

Participant Information

Event Date Confirmation
Are you registering as an individual or as a member of a corporate group / organization?
Would you like to receive monthly volunteer updates and opportunities from Forêt Capitale Forest?

Liability Form – Required for Participation

PARTICIPANT WAIVER, RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND CONSENT 

The individual named below (“Participant”) desires to participate in programs and/or activities (“Activity”)  partially or wholly coordinated by Forêt Capitale Forest (“Planting Organization”) and and any of its applicable project partners [including: the National Capital Commission, Tree Canada, Trees for Life, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, International Congress on Academic Medicine, AND/OR Green Communities Canada]. (collectively, the “PARTNERS”). As lawful consideration  for being permitted by the Planting Organization and PARTNERS to participate in the Activity, Participant agree to all the terms and conditions of this Waiver as set forth herein.

  1. THE PARTICIPANT UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN  THE ACTIVITY, PARTICIPANT WILL ENTER PROPERTIES THAT PLANTING ORGANIZATION  MAY NEITHER OWN NOR CONTROL AND THAT IT IS POSSIBLE THAT PARTICIPANT MAY  BE INJURED OR OTHERWISE HARMED DURING THE ACTIVITY DUE TO ACCIDENTS, ACTS  OF NATURE, OR THE NEGLIGENT OR INTENTIONAL ACTS OF PARTICIPANT, PLANTING  ORGANIZATION, PARTNERS, AND/OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS. PARTICIPANT  ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HE OR SHE IS VOLUNTARILY PARTICIPATING IN THE ACTIVITY  WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THE DANGER INVOLVED AND HEREBY AGREES TO ACCEPT AND  ASSUME ANY AND ALL RISKS OF INJURY, DEATH, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE, WHETHER  CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE PLANTING ORGANIZATION, PARTNERS OR  OTHERWISE.
  2. Participant hereby expressly waives and releases any and all claims and causes of action, of whatever  type he or she may have, whether these claims arise in law or equity, now known or hereafter known, in  any jurisdiction throughout the world (collectively, “Claims”), against the Planting Organization,  PARTNERS, and their respective officers, directors, trustees, donors, employees, agents, affiliates,  volunteers, successors, and assigns (collectively, “Releasees”), on account of personal injury, accident,  illness (including death) and/or property loss, however caused, arising out of or attributable to Participant’s  participation in the Activity, whether or not caused in whole or in part by the negligent acts or omissions  of one or more of the Releasees. Participant covenants and agrees not to make or bring any such Claim  against the Releasees, and forever releases and discharges the Releasees from all liability under such  Claims. Participant further agrees that if, despite this Agreement, Participant or anyone on Participant’s  behalf, makes a Claim against any of the Releasees, Participant will indemnify, defend and hold harmless  each of the Releasees from and against any and all losses, damages, liabilities, deficiencies, claims, actions,  judgments, settlements, interest, awards, penalties, fines, costs, or expenses of whatever kind (including  reasonable attorney fees, fees and the costs of enforcing any right to indemnification under this Waiver,  and the cost of pursuing any insurance providers), incurred by or awarded against the Releasees, arising out  or resulting from such Claims.
  3. If any term or provision of this Waiver is invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such  invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect any other term or provision of this Waiver or  invalidate or render unenforceable such term or provision in any other jurisdiction. This Waiver shall be  binding upon and enforceable against Participant, as well as Participant’s spouse, children, heirs and next of kin, personal representatives, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

BY SIGNING BELOW PARTICIPANT CONFIRMS AND ATTESTS THAT PARTICIPANT HAS  READ THIS WAIVER AND FULLY UNDERSTANDS ITS CONTENTS. PARTICIPANT IS AWARE  THAT THIS IS A WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND THAT PARTICIPANT IS  VOLUNTARILY GIVING UP SUBSTANTIAL LEGAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING IT AND THAT  PARTICIPANT SIGNS THIS WAIVER ON HIS OR HER OWN FREE WILL WITHOUT ANY  INDUCEMENT, ASSURANCE OR GUARANTEE.

Is the participant a minor (under the age of 18?)
Waiver Acknowledgement
Clear Signature

Participant Photo Release Acknowledgement

During the activity, FCF staff or affiliates will be taking photographs of participants before, during, and immediately following the planting. Please read the photo release acknowledgement below.

By granting permission to this photo release, I agree to grant permission to Forêt Capitale Forest and it’s project partners to take and use photographic images and/or visual and audtio recordings of me, regardless of modifications or alterations, for any purpose whatsoever including, and wihtout limitation, public advertising and non-public reporting and exhibition without further notice or compensation, in any manner or media whatsoever, including print, broadcast, or itnernet. I assign copyright to Forêt Capitale Forest for the above-mentioned photos and recordings.

I waive the opportunity or right to inspect or approve the finished product or the use to which it may be put or the copy and/or illustrations used in connection therewith.

Acknowledgement