Honouring our past
In 1946, the Department of Veterans Affairs established the Western Counties Health and Occupational Centre at Westminster Ponds as a place of healing for Canadian veterans. Today, this historic location is home to ReForest London and the Westminster Ponds Centre, London’s hub for environment and sustainability.
A new initiative
ReForest London is proud to give back to our veteran community with a new initiative: the Veterans Tree Project. Launched in September 2025, in collaboration with the Veterans Care Program at St. Joseph’s Health Care London, the Veterans Tree Project is a community-driven initiative that engages veterans at St. Joe’s in the care and cultivation of native trees.
Each spring or fall, ReForest London’s Community Tree Nursery delivers trays of native tree seedlings to St. Joe’s for the veterans to nurture. By caring for these trees, the veterans gain hands-on experience learning about tree care, urban forestry, and southwestern Ontario’s unique natural history. Once grown, the seedlings will be planted in London’s parks and public spaces via ReForest London’s Park Naturalization program, or given away to local residents at Community Tree Giveaways.
“The Parkwood Institute has so many great programs and activities for residents,” said Rachael Jensen, Growing Programs Coordinator at ReForest London. “We’re thrilled to be able to provide the veterans with a hands-on growing opportunity, where they benefit from the growing process but also contribute to community tree planting efforts.”
A huge thank-you to Mike Kirkland, board member and long-time volunteer of ReForest London, for making this project possible.
