More than 1,400 new trees are coming to Loyola Campus

A wave of greenery is about to sweep over Loyola Campus!

From now until mid-November, more than 1,400 trees will be planted on university grounds. The project comes after Soverdi, a non-profit organization focused on urban green and forestation strategies, approached Concordia this spring to propose a partnership.

“Soverdi presented us with a proposal where they will provide more than $500,000 in materials and services for a large-scale tree planting project on Loyola Campus,” explains Jackie Martin, urban agriculture and biodiversity coordinator in the Office of Sustainability.

“We are very excited about the opportunities the newly planted areas will provide for the Concordia community.”

The project is one of many that fall under the City of Montreal’s 2020–2030 Climate Plan and its commitment to increasing the municipality’s urban tree canopy. The city has provided Soverdi with funding and a mandate to plant 500,000 trees in two years.

What’s more, all the trees slated for planting on Loyola Campus will be donated to the university.

“This initiative is about more than just adding greenery. It’s about advancing the vision of our Campus Master Plan and moving forward on our sustainability goals,” says Dominique Dumont, director of strategic planning and development in Facilities Management.

“These new trees will improve our biodiversity, increase our tree canopy cover and create inviting zones for students to study and relax.”

Property Management has been and will remain a key project partner. The Facilities Management team was also instrumental in facilitating the initiative and ensuring its alignment with the university’s sustainability efforts.

“Loyola will undergo a shift in grounds maintenance to prioritize biodiversity,” says Wai Bong Shum, property manager for the campus. “We want to create a lasting positive impact on the environment.”

Planting zones and schedule

The project is divided into four separate zones: north, south, ornamental and research.

The north zone will see 30 large trees planted around the Jesuit Residence (JR) parking lot, as well as 265 small- and medium-sized trees along Loyola’s northernmost border.

“The aims are to reduce the parking lot’s heat island effects and to create a buffer zone between the university and our neighbours,” Martin explains.

In the south zone, 900 small trees will be planted along De Maisonneuve Boulevard West. Unlike typical urban tree plantings, both the north and south zones will be densely planted to mimic the species composition and ecological processes found in urban wooded areas.

The ornamental zone will add replacement trees on the south side of Sherbrooke Street West, while others will be added to the green space facing the Recreation and Athletics Complex (RA).

“The trees will not adversely affect this green space. The open recreation area will be preserved,” Dumont says.

Behind the Vanier Library (VL) Building, 300 trees will form a new mini-forest in the research zone. Comprised of both small- and medium-sized trees, the zone will be split into two for researchers to conduct comparative studies.

The tentative planting schedule is as follows:

• September 23 to 27: north zone
• September 30 to October 4: south zone
• October 7 to 11: south zone
• October 14 to 18: ornamental zone
• Mid-November: research zone (pre-frost)

Get involved

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to contribute to the planting efforts starting the week of September 30. Participants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis.

“This is a unique opportunity for our entire Concordia community to come together and make a lasting impact,” Martin says.

“Each tree we plant fosters a sense of stewardship and connection among students, faculty and staff. Together, we can transform Loyola Campus into a vibrant green space that reflects our commitment to sustainability and enriches our collective experience.”

Find out how to participate in the large-scale tree planting project on Concordia’s Loyola Campus.