Brick wall with Tout est possible (Everything is possible) written in cursive.

About Us

Evergreen is a national non-profit transforming public spaces in our cities to build a healthier future for people and our planet.

With over 30 years of championing urban sustainability, we see the potential of our cities to solve some of the biggest issues facing our time and believe that our public spaces are the key to unlocking it. We see beyond the spaces that exist today and imagine them transformed into places where people and nature thrive. And we see a future where everyone can live a healthy life on a healthy planet.

 

After all, great places aren’t just one thing; they’re many. They’re green places that are cleaner and more vibrant, community places that bring people together, and regenerative places that don’t just help the planet but heal it as well.

 

But we don’t do it alone. All of our work is done with the communities we serve to ensure that every place is transformed for the better and that our cities are bursting with life.

 

Because people and nature both deserve the right to a healthy life, and we want to protect that right long into the future.

Our purpose

To transform public spaces for the health of people and our planet.

Our promise

Cities bursting with life.

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Our impact

Through collaboration with communities, donors and partners across Canada, we’ve been able to show that public places can help us make progress on the pressing social and environmental issues we’re facing today.

 

With your support, our work with communities has shaped the lives of thousands of people, all while bringing nature into our cities and helping heal our planet.

In 2022 alone...

296

Served 296 communities across Canada with the Community Solutions Network

100,000

Brought over 100,000 people together through our markets, cultural celebrations and events

8,000

Engaged over 8,000 families in active, outdoor play for their children’s development

The land and first peoples

The lands upon which we operate, and the built communities and cities across the country, are the traditional territories, homelands and nunangat of the respective First Nations, Métis Nations and Inuit who are the long-time stewards of these lands.

 

These are occupied lands and subject to inherent rights, covenants, treaties, and self-government agreements to peaceably share and care for the lands and resources across Turtle Island. These regions are still home to diverse Indigenous peoples and we are grateful to have the opportunity to live and work on these lands.

 

The Evergreen Brick Works site is built on occupied Indigenous territory – the traditional homelands of the Wendat (Wen-dat) and Petun (Pah-toon) First Nations, the Haudenosaunee (Ho-den-O-Show-nee), and the Mississaugas of the Credit. The territory is governed by Treaty 13 and is subject of the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement between the Haudenosaunee (Ho-den-O-Show-nee) and Anishinaabek (A-Nish-Naw-bek) Confederacies and allies to peaceably share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes.

 

Today, the meeting place of Toronto, including this Waasayishkodenayosh area of the Lower Don River, is still the home to many Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work within this territory and the community as a whole. Toronto itself is a word that originates from the Mohawk word “Tkaronto,” meaning “the place in the water where the trees are standing.”

 

*Waasayishkodenayosh is one name for this area along the Lower Don River, interpreted to mean ‘Burning bright point’ in Anishinaabemowin. The spelling and meaning of the name is still being decided on by a Language Circle of First Nations knowledge and language-carriers and allies.

Our community investors

None of our work and the impact it has on communities would be possible without the dedication, care, and resources we gratefully receive from our partners.

Our work

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AI for the Resilient City

A scalable planning and predictions data visualization tool that enables municipalities to better evaluate infrastructure projects, mitigate climate risks and invest effectively.

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Children and youth

Evergreen offers unique children’s programming at Evergreen Brick Works geared towards exploring and discovering the greener side of Toronto.

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Community Solutions Network

Prepare for tomorrow with tools that improve climate resilience and community engagement.

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Climate Ready Schools

Canadian school grounds need to be redesigned for our children, communities and the natural world.

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Festivals and community events

From the Winter Market to Day of the Dead our beloved festivals and community events at Evergreen Brick Works are places to connect with the community, shop from local vendors, eat delicious food, participate in cultural activities, experience live performances, get out into nature and so much more.

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Private: Gateway Bicycle Hub

A community project that encourages the repair and repurposing of bicycles.

Condominium building balconies bursting with green plants
Housing Supply Challenge Support Program

Evergreen’s HSC support program provides support to applicants by providing guidance, mentorship and the resources needed to develop and improve their submission to the Housing Supply Challenge.

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Outdoor recreation

Getting active, particularly outdoors, has so many benefits for our health and wellbeing. It connects people to their city, enabling them to drive the creation of inclusive, healthy public places.

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Public Art at Evergreen

Art is city building. Public art enlivens our cities and creates better public spaces to gather, connect, and reflect.

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Public Markets

Public markets are at the heart of bustling city life. Thousands of people visit our public markets at Evergreen Brick Works every year to connect with their local community, access fresh and healthy food and support the local economy.

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IPAS

Tackling issues like equity, inclusivity and ecological resilience in the arts sector.

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