Welcome to the Green Cities Foundation, a non-profit organization that connects plants and people for a greener, healthier urban climate across Canada.
We believe working together can create a more sustainable future for our planet and its inhabitants. Our projects unite communities, businesses, and individuals who share our vision of a cleaner and healthier environment.
The Green Cities Foundation is a community connecting plants & people for a greener, healthier urban climate.
Protect, nurture, and grow urban green spaces for the health and well-being of Canadians coast-to-coast.
Protect: Safeguard existing green spaces and their plant life.
Nurture: Care for these spaces to benefit communities.
Grow: Expand green areas and encourage public involvement across Canada
We are rooted in the belief that greener cities
grow stronger communities.
It was December 2011 in the historic district of St. James Park when an idea was born—to bring hope and healing to a community in the heart of Toronto, Ontario. The beloved park was left in ruins after a multi-day demonstration: tree root systems were damaged, and grass had been replaced with mud.
The City of Toronto lacked the resources for full restoration, but a group of 200 Landscape Ontario members answered the call. Among them was Alan White, who saw the importance of restoring the park for everyday community life.
With help from their network of partners, the team secured generous donations of sod, mulch, and professional support. The effort required 26 pallets of sod, truckloads of mulch, arborists, landscapers, and hundreds of volunteers.
The project’s success inspired Past Chair, Alan White to take things further—leading to the idea of creating a charitable organization dedicated to greening urban communities across Canada.
In partnership with CNLA members, the team focused on improving lives by improving community landscapes.
“There are so many benefits of living, breathing landscapes, no matter the size,” said CNLA Past President Phil Paxton. “Plants clean the air, provide shade, cool the area, reduce noise, and absorb rainwater.”
The message was clear: green spaces positively impact our physical and mental well-being, and everyone deserves access to them.
The Green Cities Foundation was officially formed in 2018 as a Canadian Private Charitable Foundation, launching its first urban green space in 2019.
We invite you to be part of this journey—whether you're a student, a professional, a community member, or a concerned citizen. There’s a place for you in the Green Cities Foundation family, and together, we can make the world a better, greener place.
Whether you're ready to give, curious about your environmental footprint, or want to learn more about our work—there’s a way for everyone to contribute to greener, healthier cities.
