Brantford City Council has officially designated the week of April 20 to 26, 2025, as Earth Week, marking the city’s ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability. The proclamation, made during council’s March 25 meeting, coincides with Earth Day on April 22 — a global day of environmental awareness now in its 55th year.
As part of the citywide observance, Brantford is rolling out a series of initiatives aimed at encouraging residents to reduce their carbon footprint and engage in local environmental action.
Citywide Cleanup Set for April 25–26
The popular Let’s Clean Our City campaign returns for a fourth year, calling on residents, schools, neighbourhood associations, and local organizations to take part in a citywide litter pickup on Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26.
More than 2,000 participants have joined the campaign each year since its launch, collectively removing over 1,200 kilograms of trash from public spaces.
Participants can register at Brantford.ca/CleanBrantford to select a cleanup location and request a kit that includes garbage and recycling bags, gloves, and disposal guidelines. While residents are encouraged to bring their own reusable gloves, kits will be available for pickup starting Monday, April 21 at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre, and from Tuesday, April 22 at City Hall.
Collected litter can be placed at the curb for regular garbage pickup if it totals five bags or fewer. Larger collections can be dropped off at designated sites:
- Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre, 254 North Park Street
- Holmedale Park, 331 Grand River Avenue
- Doug Snooks Eagle Place Community Centre, 333 Erie Avenue
To boost participation, the city is running a photo contest with prizes available across several categories. Individuals could win one of two $50 local gift cards, while schools, community groups, and neighbourhood associations have a chance at $500 awards to support environmental projects or make charitable donations.
Free Tree Giveaway Returns
Also returning is the City’s Free Tree Giveaway, providing 370 native trees to Brantford homeowners to plant on residential properties. Starting at 9 a.m. on Monday, April 14, residents can register at Brantford.ca/FreeTrees to select from eight tree species, with pickup scheduled for May 2 and 3 at 1 Sherwood Drive.
Trees will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limit of one tree per household.
Community Tree Planting Set for April 27
Earth Week will conclude with a large-scale tree planting event hosted by the Brant Tree Coalition. The 12th Annual Brantford Community Tree Planting is scheduled for Sunday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at D’Aubigny Creek Park (5 Oakhill Drive). Volunteers will plant 1,000 native trees and shrubs to help naturalize the area.
Additional details are available by calling 519-759-4150.
Environmental Action in Focus
City officials say this year’s Earth Week programming offers opportunities for residents of all ages to contribute to a cleaner and greener Brantford.
“Earth Week is more than symbolic — it’s a chance for people across our city to roll up their sleeves and take real action,” said a city spokesperson. “Whether it’s picking up litter, planting a tree, or just being more mindful of the environment, every step matters.”
Residents are encouraged to share photos of their efforts on social media using #CleanBrantford. All events and registration details are available on the city’s website.
