How Climate Sustainability and Nature Work Protects Trails and Supports Communities Across Canada

Earth Day is a great opportunity to reflect on the importance of protecting the planet and the natural spaces that connect us. At Trans Canada Trail, our Climate, Sustainability and Nature initiative helps communities across Canada protect and strengthen the Trail.  

Access to trails and nature is key to health and well-being: more than 9 out of 10 trail users say using trails improves their mental health, and trails are known to contribute to millions of dollars in healthcare savings annually.  

Through research, funding, capacity-building activities, and providing resources and tools, we are supporting Canada’s trail sector as it grapples with the impacts of climate change, an increased need for maintenance and repairs, and limited capacity and budget. 

A focus on nature-based solutions  

The Climate Sustainability and Nature initiative includes an umbrella of impactful resources and programs, each designed to safeguard the trail and the ecosystems it touches. Many trails across the country were not built with future climate conditions in mind, and more trails than ever are facing flooding, wildfires, droughts and other challenges.  

The initiative’s programming provides support for tree planting and invasive species removal; offers supports for design, adapting and building sustainable trails; and works with partners and supports across the country to keep trails safe and resilient, both today and for future generations.  

Below is a look at some of the impactful funding programs made possible through the Climate Sustainability and Nature Initiative. 

Photo credit: Geneviève Lesieur Photographe

Trail Care: supporting community-led trail improvements  

Through the Trail Care grant program, thousands of volunteers undertake projects each year to improve trails in their communities. In 2025, over $250,000 of funding was distributed to groups across Canada, maintaining more than 2,630 kilometres of trail. Volunteers held trail clean-ups, planted trees, installed benches or rest areas, hosted community celebrations and recognized longtime volunteers, and much more.  

Planting for Tomorrow: greening Canada’s trails, parks and public spaces 

The Planting for Tomorrow Program (PTP) provides funding for tree-planting, invasive species removal, seed collection and seed starting projects that contribute to nature-based solutions to improve ecosystems, enhance biodiversity and engage the local community in volunteerism and participation.  

In 2025, more than 62,000 trees were planted through the Planting for Tomorrow program, benefitting 31 communities and engaging over 1,600 volunteers. 

From Sunset Beach, Saskatchewan, to Stratford, Prince Edward Island, and beyond, communities are working with Trans Canada Trail to increase tree cover along their trails and in their public spaces, increase forest resilience to climate change, and more.  

Photo credit: Ainsley Munro

Climate Smart Trails and Disaster Relief Fund: timely action for damaged trails 

Trans Canada Trail’s Climate Smart Trails and Disaster Relief fund invests in projects that enhance climate resilience, reduce climate-related risks to infrastructure, and provides time-sensitive funding to restore trail sections that have been damaged by natural disasters, such as floods, wildfires and storms.  

Over the past year, six disaster relief projects were supported, helping to restore trail sections after wind and ice storms, flooding, and wildfire. Disaster Relief fund projects were completed in Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec, and included ditching and gravel reinforcement, repairs after an ice storm, downed-tree removal and cleanup, bridge and boardwalk repair, and more.   

Trans Canada Trail has also developed best-practices guides for the trail sector, which provides practical guidance and tools to help groups reduce climate-related risk, support better early decisions on trail maintenance and repair, prevent recurring failures on the Trail, and strengthen the Trail’s long-term resilience. 

Photo credit: Brian Paterson Photography

Canadian Trail Summit: working together to build resilient trails 

This June, Trans Canada Trail is hosting the first-ever Canadian Trail Summit in Winnipeg. The gathering is an opportunity for Canada’s trail sector to come together to share bold ideas and practical solutions that will shape the future of our country’s trails. Climate resilience will play a major role in the Summit’s program, with multiple sessions focusing on topics like developing sustainable trail systems, rebuilding following extreme weather events, and balancing conservation with increased visitor demand.  

Contributing to healthier ecosystems and stronger communities thanks to our generous supporters 

This Earth Day, we are pleased to shine a spotlight on our generous supporters who help make our impactful work through the Climate Sustainability and Nature Initiative possible:  Athletic Brewing, Bruce and Elda Ratford, Columbia Sportswear, Definity Financial, Domtar, Dow Canada, The Drax Foundation, Eldorado Gold, Parks Canada, TC Energy and Toyota Canada.  

Learn more about our Centre for Trail Excellence.  

Main photo credit: Cric Studios, Christine Morin