Workshop: Rooting Reconciliation in urban forestry efforts

Trees are living legacies of culture, history and community. For municipalities, engaging in Reconciliation is essential to moving from broad commitments to real, on-the-ground actions. However, there are many untapped opportunities for municipalities across Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and British Columbia to learn from the cultural knowledge and lived experiences that Indigenous partners carry.  

Join us for Rooting Reconciliation in urban forestry efforts, a 1.5-day in-person workshop in Edmonton, Alberta, from March 11–12. You’ll gather practical information and nurture connections that will help you incorporate traditional ecological knowledge, advance Reconciliation and sustainably manage your urban forests.

By attending this workshop, you will:

• Learn to meaningfully engage and collaborate with Indigenous partners for urban forestry projects.
• Discover the role of culturally significant tree species.  
• Improve understanding of Indigenous stewardship practices in urban forest planning.
• Understand the concept of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), Two-Eyed Seeing, kincentric and biocultural approaches to urban forestry.
• Learn strategies to co-design inclusive urban forestry initiatives that honour Indigenous values and priorities.
• Gather tools to apply reconciliation principles in green infrastructure and urban forest management.
• Explore the concept of ecological restoration approaches that support biodiversity and align with Indigenous land-care.

Who should attend?

1. Municipal staff in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, responsible for:
   • urban forestry programs (planning, maintenance, and policy development)
   • green infrastructure projects (parks, tree canopy expansion, ecological restoration
   • environmental planning and sustainability initiatives
2. Nonprofit partners engaged in:
   • community-based environmental stewardship
   • urban greening and biodiversity projects
   • public engagement and education on ecological and cultural issues

Register by February 13, 2026

Workshop details:

Location: Métis Crossing, 17339 Victoria Trail, Smoky Lake, AB, T0A 3C0

Date and time: March 11 and 12, 2026, (1.5-day workshop)  

Language: English

Cost: This event is free. GMF will cover hotel accommodation costs and meals will be provided during the workshop.

Travel: Participants who have received project funding through GMF’s Growing Canada's Community Canopies initiative may be eligible to receive reimbursement for travel costs. Please contact your Project Officer for more information.

Selection criteria: A total of 32 participants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limit of one participant per organization. Once you have registered you will receive an email confirming your registration along with key information.  

If you have any questions, please reach out to Stephane Pressault.  

This workshop was created in collaboration with pipikwan pêhtâkwan and Tree Canada through the Growing Canada's Community Canopies (GCCC) initiative. GCCC learning opportunities are delivered in partnership through FCM's Green Municipal Fund by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, funded by the Government of Canada.