Millennium Forest | Linktree

Welcome to the Millennium Forest! 

Tree species found in the Forest 

Boreal Forest

Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Forest

There’s a story behind what you're seeing. In front of you is the Roberta Bondar Building.  Constructed by the Ontario government, it opened in 1991 to house government ministries and agencies which were relocated from Toronto to Sault Ste. Marie. Among them was the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, specifically parts of that ministry responsible for forest management, fire management and aviation services.

The relocation brought many new professionals to the city – foresters, ecologists, fire scientists and others charged with the responsibility of managing Ontario’s forests. As the year 2000 approached, some employees wondered how to celebrate the new millennium.

The pristine lawn outside the building was a stark contrast to the millions of hectares of Crown forests that were the focus of their daily work. It seemed like the perfect place to establish a small urban forest – one representing Ontario’s Boreal Forest and the other representing the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Forest.

The Story

What followed was a major volunteer effort to transform the site. Sod was removed and replaced with plant species common to these different forest ecosystems. Not only were trees and shrubs planted, but metre-square patches of ground vegetation were also carefully relocated to the site to mimic conditions found naturally.

The construction of the Millennium Forest in the spring of 2000 was supported by many local organizations. The golf club provided sod removal equipment; the airport authority provided ground vegetation from their property; and local businesses donated equipment to transport material. Volunteers included Ministry of Natural Resources staff from both the Roberta Bondar building and the Ontario Forest Research Institute, along with local school children.

Since then, the forest has been allowed to develop as naturally as possible. Birds and other wildlife occupy the area. A beaver has also shown a healthy appetite for the forest.

Establishing the Forest

On June 5th, 2025, many of those involved with the Millennium Forest gathered at the site to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their accomplishments. The forest continues to grow, providing a wider array of ecosystem services in an urban landscape. It serves as a reminder of the role that forests play in our lives and is a testament to all those who care for them.

25th Anniversary!

Black spruce

Jack pine

Trembling aspen

White birch

White spruce

Eastern white pine

Red maple

Red oak

Red pine

Sugar maple