76% of Canadians Prioritize Forests After Wildfires

Recent wildfires are changing how Canadians think about their forests, and the shift is overwhelmingly positive.

A new survey from Tree Canada and Ipsos found that 76% of Canadians agree that recent forest fires have made them more aware of the need for reforestation and smart forest management. The nationwide poll of 1,001 adults shows environmental awareness remains strong even as economic concerns dominate daily life.

The numbers tell a hopeful story about Canadian values. A striking 83% of respondents agree that Canada needs more trees because they help clean the air people breathe.

Nearly four out of five Canadians recognize that trees provide crucial habitat for wildlife. Meanwhile, 77% understand that trees cool cities during heat waves, a growing concern as summers get warmer.

Three quarters of respondents connect trees to fighting climate change. Another 71% recognize that forests reduce flooding, protecting homes and infrastructure during extreme weather events.

The survey did note slight decreases across all categories compared to 2024, but researchers say this mirrors global trends. Affordability concerns are absorbing more of people's attention right now, but environmental awareness hasn't disappeared.

Why This Inspires

What makes this data genuinely encouraging is that Canadians aren't just worried about forests. They're connecting the dots between tree loss and real problems in their own lives: air quality, urban heat, flooding, and wildlife decline.

This awareness creates the foundation for action. When three quarters of a population understands why forests matter, it becomes easier to build support for reforestation programs, conservation efforts, and smarter development policies.

The survey also shows that devastating wildfires, while tragic, can spark constructive conversations about prevention and restoration rather than just despair.

Communities that understand the value of trees are more likely to plant them, protect them, and demand that governments do the same. That's exactly the mindset needed to build climate resilience for the long term.

Seventy-six percent of an entire country thinking more seriously about forest health isn't just a statistic—it's the beginning of change.