10,000 Trees for the Rouge is a volunteer, non-profit group in Ontario, dedicated to restoring natural habitat within the Rouge Valley, located on the northeastern outskirts of Toronto. We organize several planting events each year with our annual Earth Week planting event being our signature event which attracts over 2,000 volunteers. Since 1989, our volunteers have helped to restore over 270 acres of fragile watershed land. Our plantings protect creeks and streams in the Rouge watershed from soil erosion, helping to link existing islands of forest and extending wildlife corridors. Together we’re making a difference.

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Formed in 1989 as an offshoot of Save the Rouge Valley and the Rouge Valley Foundation, 10,000 Trees now runs as an independent all-volunteer group, with Charitable Organization status. Our group is constantly growing and is recognized as one of the best tree-planting groups in Ontario and Canada.

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Our legacy is hands-on education and stewardship. Through our work, we hope a legacy of preservation will continue to grow for years to come. We are very proud to have introduced thousands of people to the joys of restoring wildlife habitat. Our volunteer groups learn practical skills – and people of all ages dig right in and realize they can do something for the land, wildlife and people in our city.

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The chairman of 10,000 Trees for the Rouge is Robert Roszell. See his message here. 

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Planting Schedule

We typically organize our year around two large planting events. 

Our Spring Planting (late April or early May) is our flagship event in celebration of Earth Week. At this event, we have had up to 2,500 volunteers and is among the largest one-day planting events in Ontario. 

2025 - Bruce's Mills Conservation Area, Stouffville

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Our Fall Planting (mid October) is our secondary event and is typically held in the Rouge National Urban Park. 

2025 - Wixon Creek, 9th Concession and Sideline 30, Pickering

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Depending on volunteer resources, we plan for 1 or 2 small infill plantings during each of the spring and fall seasons. These infill plantings aim to increase plant diversity and density at past planting sites and/or to improve woodland habitats at small planting sites.