Science Rendezvous and the Calgary Million Tree Project
An annual celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM), SAIT's Applied Research and Innovation Services team is proud to host these family-friendly activities in Calgary.

About Science Rendezvous
Working with Canada's top research institutes, including SAIT, Science Rendezvous is Canada's largest celebration from coast to coast. In 2019, more than 215,000 participants took part in the one-day festival.
The SAIT Science Rendezvous Committee includes members of SAIT's Corporate Development, Applied Research and International (CDARI) division and the Centre for Energy Research and Clean Unconventional Technology Solutions (CERCUTS).
The Calgary Million Tree Project
The Million Tree Project (MTP) is an initiative of Science Rendezvous (SR). This Canada-wide Experiment will spark a million conversations about trees, the environment and climate science and create action! Over the next ten years, SR invites everyone to learn, connect, conserve, plant and care for trees in their communities across Canada.
By engaging community partners, MTP will develop robust learning materials and opportunities to participate through art, citizen science monitoring efforts, conservation, seed sourcing, starting seedlings and planting trees. MTP will connect communities, youth, educators and science promoters throughout the world to
About the Million Tree Project
- The Million Tree Project contributes to fostering a strong science culture.
- Activities will be designed to maximize collaboration with municipalities, community organizations, schools, and other science outreach partners worldwide.
- Tree, environment and climate science will be the tools to spark interest and direct further learning across various science fields among elementary and secondary school students.
- The Million Tree Project will establish a unique and direct link to teachers and researchers as a staple in their curricula to engage their students in science.
- The project will allow children worldwide to play an active role in a nature-based climate solution and participate in an international project.
- The project serves as a national platform to showcase individual, school and community efforts and to build confidence, curiosity and resilience by becoming caring citizens of our planet and our communities.
Local partners
SAIT Applied Research and Innovation Services is currently exploring MTP and looking for community partners to engage and support the initiatives. Here are some ways to support this:
- Development of partnerships: Expand the network of partners that wish to collaborate through shared messaging, information, engagement, and more.
- Local tree science education: Identify existing educational resources or create new resources on local tree sciences that can support our community members.
- Community engagement: Find links to communities, schools, and other groups to engage in MTP activities.
- Planting of trees: Collaborate with local growers to source appropriate trees for our ecosystem and make them accessible to individuals and groups interested in planting trees.
- Activities and events: Collaborate with organizing and cross-promoting events in the Calgary and surrounding area.
- Share your strengths: Share organizations' unique ideas and methods to support the MTP.
Current partners
Educational resources
Here are links to some educational resources to get you started:
Potential funding programs
Here’s a list of potential resources that may be able to provide some funding support for a tree-planting project in your community:
Resources |
Name |
---|---|
Wildlife Preservation Canada | WPC Native Wildflower Seed Grants |
Tree Canada | Greening Canada School Grounds |
Tree Canada | Edible Trees |
Tree Canada | Treemendous Communities |
Scotts Canada | Gro for Good |
WWF | Go Wild School Grants |
Jane Goodall Institute of Canada |
Roots & Shoots A.P.E Fund |
Learning for a Sustainable Future |
Action Project Funding |
Whole Kids Foundation |
Garden Grant Program |
TD | TD Friends of the Environment Foundation Grant |
Evergreen | 1% Seeds of Change Grant Program |
Wildlife Habitat Canada |
Habitat Conservation Grants |
Government of Canada |
EcoAction Community Funding Program |
Government of Canada |
Growing Canada's Forests - 2 Billion Trees Program |
Alberta EcoTrust |
Alberta EcoTrust Environmental Grant Program |
Fortis Alberta | Community Naturalization and Tree Planting Grants |
Fortis Alberta | Green Up school grants |
CN | ExoCONNEXIONS - From the Ground Up |
Alberta Emerald Foundation |
Emerald Youth Grants |
Do you know of other grants that should be part of this list? Contact vita.martez@sait.ca or carolyn.preston@sait.ca so we can share with others.