STONY PLAIN, AB: Stony Plain will soon become home to a Forest of Hope — the fourth of its kind in Canada. The forest will be officially planted on September 10, 2025, for World Suicide Prevention Day and will be located in the green space directly north of the Stony Plain courthouse.

Forest of Hope is a long-term program created by the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP) with the goal of raising awareness and supporting healing for those impacted by suicide. Each year, a new location in Canada is chosen as home for the next Forest of Hope, which is planted with trees in honour of loved ones who died by suicide, those impacted by suicide, and in the name of hope.

“The Town of Stony Plain is honoured to be selected for the newest Forest of Hope in Canada,” says Mayor William Choy. “Many of us have been, or know someone who has been impacted by suicide and the difficult healing journey that comes after loss. This forest will provide a space for education and awareness-building as well as an area to pay tribute to loved ones and find moments of inner peace.”

“Community and Social Development works to provide residents with important resources and services in all stages of life, including times of grief and loss,” says Community Development Officer Brooklyn Bignell. “Important initiatives such as Forest of Hope let our community know they are supported during the difficult times, they are cared for, and they are never alone.”

The first Forest of Hope was planted in Ontario in 2022, followed by Nova Scotia in 2023 and Manitoba in 2024. CASP works to ensure each space becomes a productive and ecologically healthy green space where visitors can go to reflect, heal and learn about suicide prevention.

This project is being planned in collaboration with the Town of Stony Plain’s Roots of Hope Roundtable, a committee that aims to reduce the impacts of suicide in the Tri-Municipal Region. To follow along with project updates, visit Forest of Hope.

To learn more about CASP, their advocacy, communication and education efforts and the Forest of Hope Program, visit www.suicideprevention.ca.