“This is the single largest tree planting commitment we have seen in Ontario in a very long time,” said Michael Scott, President and CEO of the Trees Ontario Foundation (TOF). “This is great news for the environment - for the battle against climate change and for our watersheds. It also means that we can now begin work with our partners to ensure that we reach the 2020 target.”

In Phase 1 of the program, the Ministry of Natural Resources, through its partnership with the Trees Ontario Foundation, will invest more than $4 million to support the planting of 2 million more trees beyond current levels, by 2009. The Ministry will also work with TOF and its partners to build annual tree planting to levels that will meet the target of 50 million trees by 2020.

Tree planting agencies such as Conservation Authorities and Ontario Stewardship currently plant approximately 2 million trees across Southern Ontario each year. Thanks to $2 million in funding from the Ontario government announced in last March’s Ontario Budget, the TOF was able to help these agencies increase that number by more than 700,000 trees this past spring.

“Today’s commitment will allow our partners to rebuild the tree planting infrastructure necessary to get 50 million thriving trees in the ground by 2020,” added Mr. Scott. “Its takes expertise and sustained funding to successfully plant the right kind of trees in the right places”, observed Scott.

Trees are vital for the quality of the air we breathe, and play an important role in reducing the greenhouse gas effect. One healthy, mature tree provides enough oxygen for four people each day. It takes about 80 mature trees to remove from the air the four tonnes of emissions per year that a mid-sized car produces. In addition to releasing oxygen and capturing carbon, trees help to prevent soil erosion, provide habitat for animals, and filter our water– all things that can help clean our air and protect our watersheds.

Agencies that assist with tree planting efforts include Ontario’s Conservation Authorities, Conservation Ontario, Stewardship Ontario, the Ontario Forestry Association, the Forest Gene Conservation Association, the Ontario Tree Seed Plant and privately owned nurseries. The Trees Ontario Foundation works closely with skilled foresters in these agencies, who identify optimal planting sites, and work with landowners to ensure the appropriate selection of native seedlings for specific geographic areas.

Landowners participating in tree planting on their property may be eligible for The Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP), which allows landowners owning more than four hectares of forested land to reduce their property tax if they prepare and follow a Managed Forest Plan for their property. Last year, more than 1200 people attended province-wide workshops organized by the Ontario Forestry Association and the Trees Ontario Foundation, to learn about the program.

“As we prepare for the 2008 planting season, we want to encourage private landowners interested in having subsidized tree planting occur on their land to contact TOF or their local tree planting agency,” added Mr. Scott. “By working together – our planting partners, landowners and the Trees Ontario Foundation – we can restore our forests and help clean our air.”

The Trees Ontario Foundation (TOF) is a non-profit corporation established to promote and support tree planting initiatives in Ontario through partnering with tree planting agencies (www.treesontario.on.ca).

For more information, contact:

Michael Scott, Trees Ontario Foundation, (416) 506-1694 mscott@treesontario.on.ca

For More Information:

50 Million Tree Program details

News Release: United Nations Declares Ontario’s 50 Million Tree Planting Program the Largest in North America