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An Autumn of Many Milestones

  • News
  • 3 min read

A Fall Message from Maple Leaves Forever Executive Director, Deb Pella Keen

Fall is when our native Canadian Maple truly shines, putting on a spectacular display of colour. However, the warm, dry summer—and ongoing drought conditions in some areas—may have stressed certain trees, potentially affecting the timing and intensity of the colour change.

Currently, Muskoka is reporting about 30–40% colour change, while many areas of Algonquin Park are already showing around 70%.

If you get the chance, I hope you can step outside and take it all in—it’s a show that never fails to leave me in awe! Read below a report on current colour in the region.

 I would also like to highlight a few significant milestones we have observed this fall. 

Ken and Deb celebrate Ken’s 95th
  • Our founder, Ken Jewett celebrated his 95th birthday this week.  I had the pleasure of joining family, friends and neighbours at Larch Hill in Mulmur, Ontario to help Ken celebrate!
  • Somerville Nurseries Inc., one of our partner nurseries celebrated their 75th anniversary earlier this month.  Learn more on our blog about Somerville as a family owned multi-generational tree nursery business.
  • Forests Canada celebrated reaching its milestone of planting 50 million trees in September 2025, following a record-breaking planting season in 2025. The charity, operating since 2004, achieved this goal through the collective efforts of its staff, partners, and donors to plant and grow new and restored forests across Canada. Read more about the 50 million tree program here.
  • The Ontario Woodlot Association has announced the retirement of John Pineau, Executive Director from 2020-25.  We wish John well as he transitions from full time responsibilities at the OWA. Warm congratulations to Glen Prevost, RPF,  in his new role as the Executive Director of the OWA. 

Please join us giving a shout out to Ken, Somerville Nurseries, Forests Canada and Ontario Woodlot Association on these announcements!

Deb Pella Keen
On behalf of the Maple Leaves Forever Team

Part of the MLF Fall 2025 ENews – Subscribe for quarterly news right to your INBOX!