Two days of community volunteering will bring a new sustainable space to life
By Lisa Mintz
September 9, 2026
UrbaNature Education, the Town of Montréal West, the Sun and Truth Foundation, Park People, Concordia University and Arbre-Évolution are inviting residents to help create the new Ronald Pocket Forest at the intersection of Promenade Ronald and Brock Street in Montréal West.
Come help create an urban forest in solidarity—and be part of something special growing in your own backyard!
The 200-square-metre Ronald Pocket Forest will contain approximately 600 native trees and shrubs, supporting the Town of Montreal West’s vision to increase the local tree canopy and biodiversity. Designed with native trees, shrubs and ground-cover plants, the forest will help support local pollinators, reduce urban heat and attract wildlife such as bees and birds.
Beyond its environmental impact, the project is also a community-building initiative that will bring together residents, schools and organizations from Montreal West and neighbouring communities around the Falaise Saint-Jacques, including Westhaven and Ville Saint-Pierre.
- October 1, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.: Volunteers will remove grass and prepare the soil.
• - October 1, 12:30–1:30 p.m.: A Concordia University entomologist will offer a talk and an interactive insect experience.
• - October 2, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.: Volunteers will plant 600 saplings.
• - October 2, 10 a.m.: Arbre-Évolution will provide tree-planting training. Participants are strongly encouraged to attend the training, which will help prevent damage and ensure that every tree is properly planted for the winter.
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Everyone is welcome! Stay as long or as short as you wish. Dates may change; updates will be posted at the Montréal West Public Library and shared immediately through UrbaNature Education‘s Facebook and Instagram accounts.
The public planting begins on October 1, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., when volunteers will remove grass and prepare the soil.
“This is the first step in extending the biological reach of the Falaise Saint-Jacques across the highway and railway lines toward Meadowbrook,” said Lisa Mintz, Executive Director of UrbaNature Education and founder of Sauvons la falaise! “I have always imagined the Falaise at the heart of a green belt connecting Meadowbrook Park with Mount Royal, then running south across the future Dalle-Parc and Parc Angrignon to Parc des Rapides.”
“We are very pleased to welcome the first microforest in Montreal West”, said Montreal West Mayor Jonathan Cha. “This microforest is part of a series of small habitats created along Saint-Jacques Street in NDG, extending the Saint-Jacques Escarpment eco-territory. This ecological, educational, and scientific project helps enrich our environment and living space. Thank you to UrbaNature for the initiative, funding, and coordination.”
Location: Promenade Ronald at Brock Street, Montréal West – See the site
Contacts
Lisa Mintz
urbanature.education@gmail.com
438 877 2470
Keyu Chen
urbanature.media@gmail.com
Featured image: composite picture generated by IA, courtesy of Lisa Mintz
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Urbanature Éducation provides environmental education in urban and suburban settings. Its accessible programs foster a daily connection with nature and its benefits for the mind, body, and soul.
