York Regional Forest

The York Regional Forest is a 2,200 hectare public forest located in 20 different tracts in the Regional Municipality of York. It is a multi-use forest providing woodland conservation, sustainable forest management, education programs and passive recreational opportunities.

Watch a short video showcasing the York Regional Forest through the years.

Forest History

Southern Ontario was once largely covered by deciduous and mixed wood forests. European settlement in what is now York Region began in the early 1800's, and extensive areas were cleared for agricultural use. Many of the areas cleared were on soils that could not support intensive agriculture or grazing. At the turn of the century, serious environmental concerns became apparent: wind and water eroded soils; streams and wells went dry; wildlife habitat had greatly diminished; and wood products were in short supply.

In an effort to counteract these problems, the provincial government initiated several reforestation programs. The Agreement Forest program was one of the longest running and most successful provincial programs. The Regional Forest was initially established in 1924 through this program at the recommendation of the York County Reforestation Committee. Through the Agreement Forest program, York County (today the Region) purchased lands which were reforested and managed by the Department of Lands and Forests (today the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources). In 1998 the Agreement Forest Program ended and the Region assumed full management of the Regional Forest.

 To read further information about the York Regional Forest, please click on the following links below:

• Public Use - Information on recreational uses, trail maps and more
• Hunting Opportunities
• Accessible Trail at Hollidge Tract
• Forest Events & Programs - Monthly forest events and education programs
• Forest Management - Information on how forest management is being used in the York Regional Forest 

Watch a short video highlighting a GTA woodlot tour with the Ontario Forestry Association.

Everyday Guide to the York Region Forest

Everyday Guide to York Regional Forest provides general information as well as York Regional forest tract maps. Alternately a bound copy can be obtained by contacting forestry@york.ca

Growing the York Regional Forest

Through the Region’s Greening and Land Securement Strategies over 250 hectares of land were added to the York Regional Forest between 2004 and 2010. For more information on the Region’s Greening and Land Securement Strategies please click York Region Greening Strategy

Contact Us

Phone: 1-877-464-9675 ext. 5364
Email: forestry@york.ca (York Regional Forest, forest conservation By-law, and urban forestry programs)
Email: greening@york.ca (greening, what's new, and future initiatives)