Planting roots for Vaughan’s future
The City’s Green Guardians Strategy is fostering a more sustainable community
The City of Vaughan’s Green Guardians Strategy (PDF) guides our efforts to protect, maintain and foster a sustainable future. With a focus on engaging and educating the community, and identifying opportunities for expansion, the City is helping to create a more environmentally friendly and vibrant city for generations to come.
Ratified by Mayor Steven Del Duca and Members of Council at the May 27 Council meeting, the Green Guardians Strategy’s three pillars – engage, educate and expand – aim to:
Deepen the City’s connection with the community by actively involving residents in community-led initiatives such as cleanups, pollinator bed creation and planting events.
Raise awareness and enhance knowledge about the importance of protecting and preserving the environment with educational initiatives that showcase environmental sustainability, plant and animal biodiversity, forestry, horticulture and plant sciences.
Identify opportunities for growth and expansion by introducing new initiatives and establishing strategic partnerships, thus fostering inclusivity and engagement.
Since the Green Guardians program’s inception in 2022, more than 20,000 residents and members of local organizations have connected to make a meaningful impact on Vaughan’s environment through neighbourhood planting events, community-led initiatives, educational partnerships and more.
Here is an overview of the programs and commitments guided by Green Guardians, and next steps:
Current programs
Through the strategy, the City will enhance eight of its existing environmental sustainability initiatives.
Community Planting Fund: Encourages schools and community groups to enhance the health, resilience and sustainability of Vaughan’s natural environment by undertaking community-led projects such as pollinator gardens, rain gardens and species-at-risk habitats. This year, the City plans to create online portfolios highlighting the impact of approved projects.
Curb Appeal: Recognizes homeowners who take pride in maintaining their properties. Through volunteer-led evaluations, residents and businesses are motivated to actively participate in the beautification of their neighbourhood, fostering a collective sense of ownership.
Community cleanups: Offers an opportunity for residents to unite and act against litter while raising awareness about the negative impact it has on our environment.
Grow with Vaughan: Provides a unique opportunity for businesses to enhance their brand visibility by sponsoring flowerbeds, pollinator beds or flowerpots at key locations across Vaughan. The City supports local businesses’ contribution to neighbourhood beautification and connection to the community with cost-effective advertising.
20-Minute Makeover: Invites residents, schools, businesses, local organizations and City staff to spend 20 minutes cleaning up litter. The event encourages participants to improve the cleanliness of Vaughan’s public spaces by tackling litter and waste in neighbourhoods, parks, trails and other outdoor areas.
National Pollinator Week and Flight of the Monarch Day: Raises awareness and supports the conservation of pollinators, particularly monarch butterflies, while encouraging community members to plant native pollinator species on their properties.
Tree and bench dedication: Offers a meaningful way for residents to honour loved ones and significant occasions while contributing to the beautification of the community and supporting environmental preservation.
Corporate and community tree planting: Encourages businesses and community groups to actively participate in environmental stewardship by planting trees in Vaughan’s parks and green spaces.
Planned programs
The City aims to expand Vaughan’s green efforts by implementing the following five new initiatives over the next four years.
Communities in Bloom: A non-profit organization that recognizes cities and communities internationally by engaging residents to create a sustainable urban environment. This year, the City plans to collaborate with Communities in Bloom to learn from best practices and innovative approaches to beautification.
Vaughan Gardeners: A series of engaging workshops and informative gardening sessions designed to empower residents to grow their own food and nurture plants and trees. The program is proposed to launch in 2026.
Adopt-a-Park: A program designed to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility for the care and upkeep of Vaughan’s green spaces. Local organizations, businesses, community groups and residents will be able to ‘adopt’ a park, anticipated to start in 2026.
Vaughan Healthy Yards: An opportunity for residents to pre-order rain barrels and composters, and access educational resources and tools to help create environmentally friendly yards and gardens, starting next year.
Vaughan Green Helpers: A volunteer-driven initiative focusing on tree planting, removal of invasive species, restoration of wildlife habitat and maintenance of garden beds. This program, which is anticipated to launch in 2028, will aim to transform key City-owned spaces into vibrant gardens and pollinator-friendly habitats.
To stay informed on Green Guardians programs and updates, visit vaughan.ca/GreenGuardians.
QUOTES
“Vaughan is a truly green city, committed to protecting, enhancing and beautifying our greenspaces now and for the future. I know many of our residents share our passion for the environment and are keen to roll up their sleeves and get involved. Through the Green Guardians Strategy, they can! The work completed through this incredible initiative has helped make our city a healthier and cleaner place for all. Through important programs like the City’s 20-Minute Makeover, community tree plantings and cleanups, and so much more, we are creating a better future for residents today and the next generation. I want to thank the dedicated Parks, Forestry and Horticulture team for their continued efforts to keep Vaughan safe, clean and beautiful.”
- Mayor Steven Del Duca
“Since 2022, Green Guardians has been the City’s frontrunner for a variety of environmental sustainability initiatives, including community cleanups, tree planting events, pollinator gardens, and tree and bench dedications. It’s incredible to see a strategy, like this one, bring the city together for an important cause. This four-year plan will focus on creating a greener and more sustainable environment so current and future generations of residents and visitors can experience a clean, safe and beautiful Vaughan. Thank you to the Public Works team for continuing to strategize, innovate and dream big for our city.”
- Zoran Postic, City Manager
“Advancing environmental sustainability initiatives is a major priority at the City of Vaughan, and the new Green Guardians Strategy is in place to ensure we can make it happen. From the Curb Appeal program and 20-Minute Makeover to the Corporate and Community Tree Planting programs, we’ve already made a major impact in promoting green initiatives within the community, but we have much more to do. I want to thank every staff member who has dedicated their minds, talents and skills to this strategy so we can continue to prioritize the health and well-being of everyone in Vaughan and the natural environment. I’m looking forward to launching many new programs under this strategy and seeing what we can accomplish in the years to come.”
- Emilie Alderman, Deputy City Manager, Public Works
QUICK FACTS
The Green Guardians Strategy staff report was presented to Vaughan Council at the Committee of the Whole (Working Session) on May 7 and ratified at the May 27 Council meeting.
The City of Vaughan plans to enhance eight existing initiatives under the strategy and implement five new ones over the next four years.
The City of Vaughan is dedicated to environmental sustainability as demonstrated through several key initiatives, including the Urban Forest Management Plan, Litter Reduction Action Plan, Green Directions Vaughan, Beautification 2.0 and more.
LEARN MORE
Green Guardians staff report (PDF) – May 7, 2025
Green Guardians Strategy (PDF)
Green Guardians program webpage
