Wishing Tree

Initiatives
Initiatives
- Parks Bank
  Supporting the purchase of private lands important to communities, wildlife, and climate mitigation.
- Healthy by Nature
  Boosting Canadians’ health and learning in conjunction with doctors, health care professionals, and educators across Canada.
- Discover Parks
  Adding outdoor recreational experiences and facilities so that everyone can enjoy parks safely and responsibly.
- BC Conservation Fund
  Supporting the long-term conservation of priority biodiverse landscapes across BC by working together with the Province, First Nations, and many other partners.
- Community Science
  Empowering British Columbians and visitors with accessible tools to contribute to a living picture of the animals, plants and other elements that sustain life.
- Spark Grants
  Supporting volunteers, youth, entrepreneurs and new Canadians to maintain, improve and experience parks.
- 30x30
  Working with First Nations, local communities, and people like you to protect what matters most.
Explore all of our initiatives and join us in areas most meaningful to you.
View all initiatives
Participate
Participate
- Donate
  Keep parks thriving.
- Shop
  Wear your love for parks.
- Subscribe and follow
  Stay connected to parks.
- Make a wish for nature
  Every wish plants a seed for the future.
- Become a partner
  Create lasting impact.
- Volunteer
  Give back in nature.
- Careers
  Help shape the future of parks.
There are many ways to help, each offering a unique opportunity to contribute and make a difference.
Start overview
Partners
Updates
About
About

I wish for the flowers to bloom vibrantI wish to protect our oceansI wish for clean waterways in British ColumbiaI wish for protected wilderness spacesI wish to heal our waters so salmon can spawn safely each yearI wish to explore more of Canada's beautiful landscapesI wish for the sea levels to stop risingI wish everyone could see wildflowersI wish to protect urban green art, trees, shrubs flowersI wish outdoor education was a core competency in schoolsI wish for Mother Nature to be nurtured and cherishedI wish for safe and sustainable fishingI wish for accessible nature for everyone, everywhere, to improve healthI wish for the flowers to bloom vibrantI wish to protect our oceansI wish for clean waterways in British ColumbiaI wish for protected wilderness spacesI wish to heal our waters so salmon can spawn safely each yearI wish to explore more of Canada's beautiful landscapesI wish for the sea levels to stop risingI wish everyone could see wildflowersI wish to protect urban green art, trees, shrubs flowersI wish outdoor education was a core competency in schoolsI wish for Mother Nature to be nurtured and cherishedI wish for safe and sustainable fishingI wish for accessible nature for everyone, everywhere, to improve health

Make a wish

For every wish made, a generous donor gives $10 to land protection across BC. Together, we’re working toward a future where 30% of British Columbia is protected by 2030.

So, make a wish. And then, pass it on. Together, we can keep BC beautiful.

How your wish for nature lights the tree

When you visit the Wishing Tree in Whistler, your voice becomes part of the magic. The tree listens for your wish and transforms it into a burst of colour and movement.

Voice recognition instructions

Step 1 — Speak into the megaphone

Start your wish by saying ‘I wish for…’ or ‘I wish to…’. This phrase lets the system know a wish is coming.

Step 2 — Use an activation word:

The installation listens for a set of nature-inspired words. When it hears one, the tree responds with a unique light effect designed just for that theme.

Sample activation words & effects

There are over 120 activation words in total, which spark 10 different light effects. Here are a few examples:

Climate / Pollution / Forest / Nature / Ocean / Whales / River / Wildlife / Bears / Biodiversity / People / Pink / Reconciliation / Community / Science / Music / Art / Eagles / Sky / Sunset / Fire / Yellow / Peace / Love / Snow / Winter / Hikes / Canada / Mushroom / Flowers / Rainbows

When wishes come true

“I wish children could learn in nature.”

Through Learning By Nature, thousands of students now explore, learn, and grow outdoors.

A family walk through a sandy, mountainous waterbank

Latest updates

View all

Wishing Tree lit-up on a snowy night in 2023.

Inspiration

Wishes Become Fishes: The Wishing Tree Brings Its Magic to Whistler for the Holiday Season

Restoration

Water Starts Flowing in One of the Largest Restoration Projects in Western Canada

Learning by Nature

Nature Parks Take Shape with Students Leading the Way

The journey so far

20K

Wishes made.

A cloudy sunset sets over snowcapped mountains.

A wide view of grassy valleys, lakes and snowcapped mountains.

A group of people walk together on a trail.

Keep the magic growing

Every wish plants a seed for the future. Help protect the lands and waters that inspire us all.

Brighten your day with inspiring stories, photos, videos, ideas, and art. We only send enough to bring joy, not to clog up your inbox.

Join our community

Stay connected and inspired by the beauty of our parks and protected areas

Subscribe now

You’ll receive 10% off your first order from our shop, with all proceeds going toward keeping BC beautiful.

Two people sit on a mountainside and overlook a valley with a sun setting in the distance