Forêt Capitale Forest (FCF) engages in a variety of work organized by these main themes: capacity building, community engagement and education and developing relationships with landowners and organizations with complementary missions.
Projects
An immediate FCF goal is to build capacity. Our active projects focus on securing the supply chain of healthy, local native tree stock, training and creating a tree seed collection team, building a seedling enclosure, conducting tree seed collection forays, sapling harvests, ahead-of-time procurement and establishing community tree hubs where these young trees can be temporarily housed while new relationships with landowners are formed and more planting events are scheduled.
Tree Planting
FCF hosts many planting events for various groups at our Base of Operations and in partnership with land owners like the National Capital Commission. We plant trees with community, corporate and youth groups. As Tree Canada’s Eastern Ontario Forestry Experts, we work with teams to plant trees through their Partners in Planting initiative and other programs.
Tiny Forests Leadership
Forêt Capitale Forest is driven to become a leader in the Miyawaki Method Tiny Forest movement in the National Capital Region. Since May 2022, FCF has planted thirteen Tiny Forests following the Miyawaki Method of afforestation. Five of the thirteen Tiny Forests planted are located at our publicly-accessible Base of Operations in Blackburn Hamlet.
Food Forests Stewardship
Our food forest is designed purposefully as a wild space – a safe haven for a great variety of pollinators, birds and other wildlife. Many edible trees, shrubs and perennials are planted for multiple purposes, including food production, pollinator and wildlife habitat and restoration. Forêt Capitale Forest proudly stewards the food forest, caring for existing trees, soil and pathways and continually planting more food-bearing trees and shrubs! The food forest contains several exciting features including our Apple Alley, Berry Lane, Nut Grove Way, Great Oak Picnic Circle and our Grape Arbour Picnic Area.
Interactive Walking Path
We are installing an interactive walking path at our Base of Operations, in collaboration with the Just Food Community Farm. Once completed, visitors can walk along the kilometer-long pathway, learning about different forestry concepts through the signage and the accompanying web pages, accessible by scanning QR codes displayed on each sign. Visit the walking path and provide us your feedback through our survey using the QR codes.
Education Tours and Workshops
We are committed to fostering a sustainable future through our educational initiatives. We work closely with schools, associations, and local community groups to share essential knowledge on tree planting, maintenance, and care. We aim to inspire a deeper connection with nature and promote forestry stewardship among individuals of all ages. Through workshops, hands-on activities, and expert-led sessions, we equip participants with the skills and understanding needed to contribute positively to our our local ecosystems.
Building Supply Chain Capacity
To support our efforts and ensure a continuity of healthy native tree supply, we have developed a tree sapling harvesting and replanting program, and we are establishing a certified tree seed collection team. Our tree seedling structure and tree seedling areas ensure we can grow and maintain healthy tree stock at our Base of Operations.