The NeighbourWoods program is a tree stewardship initiative developed by The City of Calgary Parks to engage citizen and community involvement in the replenishment, growth and preservation of Calgary’s urban forest.
The urban forest includes all trees and shrubs growing in parks, river valleys, streets, roadways, and commercially and private lands, naturally occurring or intentionally planted.
All residents of participating communities are invited to apply by the application deadline to become residential tree stewards who care for specific new trees on City boulevards or back-of-walk areas.
You have an important role to play in your urban forest. Urban forests:
- Add value to your community.
- Are complex ecosystems in our neighbourhoods.
- Require care and understanding.
How does the NeighbourWoods program work?
The City will:
- Provide trees to be planted.
- Prepare a planting site for the trees.
- Provide tree care information and a free 45-minute training session for the residential tree steward.
- Help with the planting process.
- Provide a treegator® watering bag for gradual water release.
- Provide extended healthcare and maintenance to the trees.
Registered residents are responsible for:
- Attending a 45-minute training session on how to properly plant and care for new trees.
- Planting the tree(s) and
choosing the species.
- Tending the tree(s), including watering and monitoring for pests and diseases.
- Informing Parks, by contacting 311, of any issues or concerns.
- Paying a $30 participation fee per tree.
- All new trees will be owned by The City and will be planted on City property.
Who can participate?
The NeighbourWoods program is available in select communities chosen by the City of Calgary. Approximately 10 new communities are chosen each year. Communities are chosen based on factors such as the health and condition of the existing urban forest, community interest and tree planting opportunities. Each community is encouraged to plant 100 trees and community members are invited to apply to become Residential Tree Stewards to care for specific new trees on their boulevards or back-of-walk area.
Selected communities for planting in 2013:
Application deadline June 30, 2013
- Canyon Meadows
- Hidden Valley
- Highland Park
- Lake Bonavista
- Parkland
- Sundance
Selected communities for planting in 2014:
Application deadline May 31, 2014
- Bowness
- Knob Hill
- Montgomery
- Lower Mount Royal
- Upper Mount Royal
- Marlborough
- Millican
- Ogden
- Rocky Ridge
- Royal Oak
- Richmond
If you live in one of these select communities and would like to become a Residential Tree Steward, please apply online or contact 311 before the application deadline. A program representative will contact you in the spring regarding application status.
Neighbourwoods Registration
If you would like to volunteer to promote the program in one of the participating communities, and/or assist with the planting day, please contact your community association. For more information, visit the NeighbourWoods FAQ.
If you would like to get involved with tree stewardship and learn more about urban forestry in Calgary, please contact 311.
