Established on May 29th, 2011, the Celebration Forest is an ongoing naturalization project sponsored by donors who wish to plant trees in memory or in celebration of loved ones. Each year, hundreds of trees are planted in memory and in celebration, making a living, breathing monument to its Honourees.
The Forest is added to annually, with each year being assigned a signature native tree. For an introduction to the Celebration Forest, please watch this short video.
Ordering Trees in Memory and in Celebration
The 2023 Celebration Forest Tree Planting Ceremony will be held in September 2023.
Why Plant a Tree?
Planting a Tree can be a healing experience to remember past loved ones. It can be a celebration of new beginnings or joyous occasions. It brings families, friends and coworkers together in a meaningful way. Each Celebration Forest Tree Gift is a healthy native tree, grown from local seed and helps the environment and our community. The best way to order a tree is through our Tree Gift Page. If you have trouble with this, please call Rose Pfeifer at 519-936-9548 Ext. 221.
Trees in Celebration
Plant a tree in celebration of a holiday, birthday, newborn, wedding, or any other occasion, and help improve the environment.
Trees in Memory
Plant a tree in memory of a loved one, friend, or co-worker with nature’s gift of a living legacy.
– Kate Sparling
This event brought together family and chosen family to celebrate the ones we are missing. Planting trees in Celebration Forest was a fantastic way to mix our love with our long cherished family values about the environment. Can’t recommend enough!
Businesses
Many businesses use the tree gift program to recognize clients as well as employees. It is a thoughtful way to recognize an individual or team.
What You Receive
Donors
Donors receive the gratification of giving a meaningful and unique gift to someone special that makes a positive and lasting impact on the environment. In addition, donors will receive:
- The opportunity to send a free personal message to the gift recipient in the form of an e-card or a print card which will be mailed to the recipient.
- A Charitable Tax Receipt for the full amount of their donation.
- An invitation to the Tree Planting Ceremony to see first-hand what their donation has helped create.
Tree Gift Honourees
Honourees enjoy a meaningful gift that makes a lasting benefit to the environment as well as the following:
- A personalized e-card, print card, or certificate (chosen by the Donor) to memorialize your gift.
- Invitations to the Tree Planting Ceremony for you, your friends and your family to plant your tree.
- Their name listed (if desired) on the Celebration Forest signage and perpetually on the ReForest London website.
Tree Planting Ceremony
In early Spring or Fall, ReForest London will hold an annual Tree Planting Ceremony, which is conducted outdoors at the Celebration Forest. The six-hectare site, situated near ReForest London’s headquarters in the Westminster Ponds Environmentally Significant Area, was established by St. Joseph’s HealthCare and London Health Sciences Centre.
The event includes a recognition of the Tree Gift Honourees, as well as a tree planting demonstration and the planting of Honouree trees. Volunteers and staff will be present to ensure that each tree is planted for those who are unable to attend the ceremony or plant their own tree. This event is open to all who wish to attend, and participation in tree planting is encouraged.
The Ceremony
- All trees will be planted on the day of the Tree Planting Ceremony by families and volunteers
- Names of the honourees will be read during the Ceremony
- Remarks from ReForest London and London Health Sciences Centre
- Brief demonstration on how to plant a tree, followed by tree planting
- Stay as long as you like to enjoy the event and plant additional trees. You may also leave after your tree is planted
- The event will close once all trees are planted
Event Date
The 2023 Celebration Forest Tree Planting Ceremony will be held in the fall with date TBD.
All orders placed before July 2023 will be planted during the 2023 fall planting event.
Notification of the Tree Planting Ceremony: ReForest London will notify via email the Honouree or the family of the deceased regarding the tree gift and the upcoming ceremony.
Dedication Forest Signage and online Dedication Registry
To retain the natural beauty of the Celebration Forest, individual trees are not marked in any way. Names of all recipients will be listed on our Celebration Forest signage during the planting year and listed perpetually on our website on the Dedication Registry.
Contact Information | Location
The forest is located in London, Ontario, adjacent to the Westminster Ponds Environmentally Significant Area, behind St. Joseph’s Health Care London’s Parkwood Institute. It can be accessed by car, bike or foot on Western Counties Road. The London Transit bus #6 ends at Parkwood Hospital and is about a one-kilometre walk to the Celebration Forest entrance.
For any questions, you may have or to order a tree, please contact Rose Pfeifer, Engagement Coordinator, [email protected], 519-936-9548 X 221
Partnerships
The Celebration Forest is a partnership with ReForest London, the London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), St Joseph’s Health Care (SJHC) and other partners with interests in Westminster Ponds lands. The health care organizations have pledged this land as part of their ongoing commitment to the health of southwestern Ontario’s people and environment.
Sponsors for the 2022 Celebration Forest
Lead Sponsor
Supporting Sponsors
