GREATER
SUDBURY, ON, Aug. 8, 2024
/CNW/ - Tree-planting efforts across Canada are playing a large part in tackling
the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. Diverse
forests have many benefits: they capture the carbon in growing
trees to reduce emissions and help in the fight against climate
change; they help regulate hot temperatures in cities; they reduce
the threats posed by wildland fires and flooding; and they
support human health by creating more green spaces for recreational
activities and helping Canadians connect with nature. By planting
the right tree species in the right places, the governments of
Canada and Ontario are working toward a greener and more
resilient future for our forests and communities for generations to
come.
Today, Marc G. Serré, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of
Energy and Natural Resources and to the Minister of Official
Languages, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson,
Canada's Minister of Energy and
Natural Resources; and Nolan Quinn,
Ontario's Associate Minister of
Natural Resources, announced a joint investment of more than
$61 million to launch a new
tree-planting program in Ontario's
Crown forestland through 2026.
The program will see Ontario
and Canada provide equal funding
for silvicultural activities — including site preparation and tree
planting — to strengthen ecosystems in areas with little or no tree
cover, including areas disturbed by forest fires. This tree
planting initiative complements trees planted by forest managers to
regenerate forests following harvesting activities and should
enable the planting of approximately 60 million trees by the end of
the program, depending on the availability of suitable Crown
forestland and the range of projects identified by Ontario's forest managers.
The 2 Billion Trees program is part of the Government of
Canada's broader approach to
nature-based climate solutions. Tree planting helps to clean the
air, keep neighborhoods cool in the summer, create jobs, and fight
climate change while protecting nature. By working together with
provinces, territories, local communities, non- and for-profit
organizations, and Indigenous Peoples, Canada is ensuring a strong, healthy future
for generations, supporting the government's broader climate goals
including those related to biodiversity, climate mitigation and the
National Adaptation Strategy.
Quotes
"Trees are essential to our lives: they clean the air we
breathe, the shade they provide makes our urban spaces more
enjoyable, they give new habitats for wildlife, and they help us
adapt to our changing climate. The funding announced today will
play an important role in bringing these benefits to Ontarians and
will help achieve our federal government's ambitious goal of
planting two billion trees over the next decade. Through this
project, we are showing how collaborative work between federal and
provincial governments can ensure that the right tree is planted at
the right place at the right time for the benefit of all
Canadians."
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson
Canada's Minister of Energy and Natural
Resources
"Trees planted as part of the 2 Billion Trees program will not
only help tackle climate change but also support the expansion of
Canada's forests and the
restoration of important habitats, all while ensuring there is
cleaner air and sustainable jobs in communities across Canada. The Government of Canada is pleased to be supporting
Ontario to manage Crown forestland
that will benefit Canadians for years to come."
Marc G. Serré
Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt,
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural
Resources, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official
Languages
"Forests support our environment, provide recreation and sustain
a strong economy. Ontario is
partnering with the federal government to help ensure our Crown
forests remain healthy, diverse and productive for years to come.
This investment presents new opportunities for forest managers to
plant more trees, create jobs and enhance Ontario's reputation as a world leader in
sustainable forest management."
The Honourable Nolan Quinn
Ontario's Associate Minister of Natural
Resources
Quick Facts
- Since 2021, the Government of Canada has been engaging directly with
individual organizations across the country to plant trees over 10
years to help meet the Government of Canada's commitment to planting two billion
trees. Working closely with territories and provinces on shared
planting plans is vital to support local communities and enable
further tree planting as they manage 90 percent of Canada's forested land. With this agreement,
Canada and Ontario are leveraging their shared commitment
to delivering social and environmental benefits for communities
through tree planting.
- Work is well underway on finalizing additional agreements with
provinces and territories to plant more trees across Canada.
- The 2 Billion Trees program collaborates with partners to
understand their plans for preparing sites, how they are selecting
species and how they plan to monitor after planting. Partners
report every year, and the program conducts site visits and will be
using remote sensing to monitor the progress and the health of the
trees. By ensuring the initial job is done well, nature can then
thrive, maintaining the long-term health of forested sites.
Related Information
- 2 Billion Trees program
- Our action: How we will get there together
- Planting the right tree in the right place for a better
tomorrow
- 2 Billion Trees working with provinces and territories
- 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Clean Air, Strong Economy
- Forestry Futures Trust Ontario
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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada