From Seedlings to Success: Woodstock First Nation’s Tree Tracking Innovation

Across Canada, a green revolution is taking root. The Canadian government’s 2 Billion Trees Initiative aims to combat climate change by planting trees nationwide over the next decade.

In early 2025, our client Woodstock First Nation, stepped forward to this ambitious environmental project. Under Chief Timothy Paul’s leadership, they have become an important partner in Canada’s climate initiative. This Indigenous community is planting thousands of trees across their two reservation areas, which cover over 160 hectares of land.

To enhance their excellent work, in March 2025, Woodstock First Nation partnered with ArborNote to implement mapping technology for their tree tracking needs. This collaboration has enabled them to document hundreds of newly planted trees with precise location data, providing them with accurate records for the entire project.

Challenges

Soon after the project started, Woodstock First Nation quickly ran into a practical question: how could they accurately track thousands of trees across their extensive reservation lands?

They not only needed to track the location of each tree, but also exactly which types of trees they planted. This information was essential for their own documentation, and also for reporting to the Canadian government as part of the 2 Billion Trees program.

Without a proper tracking system, the team struggled to document their progress in the field. Paper records were hard to maintain outdoors, especially in bad weather. The team also found it difficult to mark exact planting locations, which made monitoring tree growth and survival rates nearly impossible.

The community also needed to coordinate planting teams working in different areas. Without a central record-keeping system, there was a risk of missing data or counting the same areas twice. For Woodstock First Nation, these tracking improvements needed to be made as soon as possible.

ArborNote Tree Inventory Solution

In March 2025, Woodstock First Nation began using ArborNote’s tree mapping technology to enhance their planting operations. Our mapping software provided exactly what they needed – a simple yet powerful way to manage their tree inventory.

The ArborNote mapping system allows Woodstock’s field teams to record tree locations with GPS precision. In the field, team members can mark each tree’s exact position on the map with just their mobile phone. They can also record important details like tree species, planting date, and condition notes.

All of them are in one simple interface.

For Woodstock First Nation, the mapping system provides valuable oversight. It shows their entire tree inventory across reservation areas. The team can see exactly how many trees have been planted and where. Plus, this data can be easily exported for reporting to the Canadian government, helping them demonstrate their important contribution to the 2B Trees Initiative.

In the longer term, the mapping system will continue to support their forest management goals. By tracking each tree precisely, they can monitor which ones survive over time. This also helps them plan when to check on trees and keep their new forest healthy for many years.

You Can be the Successful Story

Our mapping feature was designed with fieldwork in mind. It works through GPS in areas with limited connectivity, storing data locally. This ensures continuous documentation even in remote parts of their territory. The system also allows for photo documentation, helping the team visually track tree growth over time.

Is your organization also participating in large-scale environmental projects?

Whether you’re planting trees, managing green spaces, or tracking natural resources, ArborNote’s mapping technology can help you document and showcase your work. Contact us today to learn how our tree inventory and mapping tools can support your environmental initiatives.