A new exhibition inspired by a timeless story about the importance of trees—and the power of one person to make a difference—opens May 16 at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa. The Man Who Planted Trees: An Immersive Tale takes visitors through a lone shepherd’s journey as he reforests a barren valley in the French Alps. Scientific content about the essential role of trees in the cycle of life anchor this thought-provoking story. The exhibition is on view until October 13, 2025.
Narrative based on the 1988 Oscar-winning Short Film
This world premiere, co-produced by the Canadian Museum of Nature and Montreal-based Supply + Demand, is based on Jean Giono’s 1953 tale The Man Who Planted Trees. The story was later adapted for the 1988 Oscar-winning animated short, directed by filmmaker and illustrator Frédéric Back and produced by Radio-Canada. It was narrated by actors Christopher Plummer in English, and Philippe Noiret in French.
The narrative of the exhibition is based on Back’s film, with rich scientific additions and activations, as well as interactive multimedia elements. To achieve this engaging mix, the museum partnered with Supply + Demand, a multimedia creative studio with expertise in producing immersive experiences.
The critical role of trees
“We’re excited to share this story about the importance of trees in a way that is novel and innovative for a museum,” says the museum’s President and CEO, Dr. Danika Goosney. “Trees play a critical role in maintaining a healthy ecological balance, and we hope visitors come away from this experience with a sense of hope and inspiration for a greener future.”
“Our collaboration with the Canadian Museum of Nature brings a fresh presentation to this beloved environmental story deeply rooted in nature and imagination,” explains Olivier Goulet, founder and CEO of Supply + Demand. “This immersive experience challenged us to expand our creative practice, and we’re delighted to premiere it at one of Canada’s leading institutions—before taking it to global venues to spotlight Canadian art and innovation on the world stage.”
Trees are the heroes of the tale
The narrator in the story, The Man Who Planted Trees first meets the shepherd, Elzéard Bouffier, in 1910 near the ruins of an abandoned village where trees had been cleared from the landscape. By the end of the story, the oaks that the shepherd had patiently planted, one acorn at a time, have flourished and restored life to the villages and the land. Trees, guardians of biodiversity, also figure prominently as the heroes of this tale.
Special audio-guide headsets are provided for the immersive experience, which is divided into 20 zones. The headsets are synchronized to visuals from the film, with sounds and effects bringing the story to life, as the visitor walks along the exhibition path. Each zone accommodates four people at a time.
Audio experience combines artistry with science
The audio experience combines the artistry of the original film’s narration with the addition of new science-based content developed by the museum’s team, voiced by Montreal actor Juliette Gosselin. Visitors hear about seed dispersal and how a forest is a rich community of plants, animals, fungi and millions of microorganisms, all connected in complex ways.
Immersive experience
Each zone in the experience is unique. For example, visitors can look at video through portholes to learn about underground biodiversity, such as the close bond between trees and fungi. The final zone ends with a 15-foot (4.6 metre) interactive “tree” that responds to hand motion to “light up” leaves and the flow of sap.
Complementing the immersive part of the exhibition is a post-show display with six inspiring stories of individuals and groups who are planting trees, as well as reproductions of specimens from the museum’s National Herbarium of Canada, including white oak, eastern hemlock and tamarack.
Among the stories is a seedling program developed by Nagadjitòdjig Akì Guardians for the Algonquin Anishinabeg community of Kitigan Zibi. Their efforts are supporting recovery of the culturally significant Pagànàkomin (butternut) tree. Another story presents an Ottawa Valley cattle farmer who has planted 40,000 trees on his land. which have brought water back to his farm; and help reduce soil erosion and provide shelter for animals.
The Man Who Planted Trees: An Immersive Tale is included with general museum admission. Timed tickets must be reserved in advance to see this special exhibition.
Affiliated Programming
Animated Film
The animated film The Man Who Planted Trees, was produced by Radio-Canada and won an Oscar in 1988. Daily screenings of the original film in English and French will run in the museum’s theatre. This is the first time people can see this production in 4K splendour, after it went through a rigorous digitization and remastering process.
Prior to entering the museum, visitors will also be greeted by two ‘talking’ red maples, a reminder of the incredible gift of oxygen that trees provide every day.
Symbiosis
Symbiosis, a forest-inspired installation led by artist cj fleury, will be on view in the Mammal Gallery, starting May 17. Hanging strips of mulberry paper will resemble a grove of trees, covered in hand-drawn images of woodland fauna and flora. Projected onto the drawings will be video of the flora and fauna of the Outaouais forest, accompanied by an original score from the local, Juno-winning chamber ensemble Esmerine.
This installation is presented in partnership with Eco Echo (Outaouais Environmental Campus). On weekends and Thursday evenings until October 13, a science interpreter will be in the space to engage visitors with hands-on activities about local forest biodiversity.
Where is The Canadian Museum of Nature?
The Canadian Museum of Nature is located at 240 McLeod Street, Ottawa, Ontario. Admission to the permanent galleries is free on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (supported by Canada Life). The museum is open seven days a week until Labour Day, after which it is closed on Tuesdays for fall and winter.
For more information, visit nature.ca.
Interesting facts about trees
● Scientists estimate that there are 3 trillion trees on Earth. Yet 6 trillion trees covered the planet before the 18th century. Deforestation has hastened biodiversity loss and climate change.
● Reforestation may provide a promising solution to these problems, with some scientists estimating that 1.2 trillion trees could be planted. However, deforestation continues today, with only 21% of forests growing in protected areas. Tree planting needs to be paired with expanding protection for the forests that are still standing.
● The forests in Canada are vast and varied, covering nearly 40% of the country and representing 10% of the world’s forest area.
● The boreal forest is the largest forest type in Canada and across the world. Dominated by conifers, it plays a critical role in storing carbon and regulating the climate.
● Balsam poplars (Populus balsamifera) are natural firebreaks that help slow or stop the spread of wildfires in the boreal forest.
● The Eastern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis) resists decay and insects thanks to its aromatic phenols and resins which protect it from moisture and biological damage.
About the Canadian Museum of Nature
The Canadian Museum of Nature is Canada’s national museum of natural history and natural sciences. The museum advances the understanding and appreciation of nature through evidence, knowledge, engagement and a sense of wonder. It achieves this through scientific research, a 15-million-specimen collection, education programs, world-class exhibitions, and a dynamic web site, nature.ca.
Information and images supplied by the Canadian Museum of Nature
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