Trees Ontario: Trees Ontario Reports Largest Spring Tree Planting Ever

TORONTO, July 7, 2009 – Close to 3 million trees have been planted across southern Ontario this spring; including more than 2 million trees planted as part of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources’ 50 Million Tree Program, Trees Ontario has announced.

Combined with trees planted through other local tree planting programs, this is the largest spring tree planting seen in Ontario since the 1980’s.

“This has been an unbelievably successful spring tree planting season and it has created a tremendous amount of momentum for us as we move forward into the fall planting season and beyond,” said Michael Scott, President and CEO, Trees Ontario. “We would like to thank our forestry and conservation authority partners and all Ontarians for doing their part to help make Ontario a greener place to live and play.”

The Ministry of Natural Resources’ 50 Million Tree program is the Ontario government’s commitment to the United Nations Billion Tree program. In just two years, over three million trees have been planted towards the planting goal of 50 million new trees in Ontario by 2020.

“We are delighted by the increase in trees planted in the first two years of the 50 Million Tree program,” said Donna Cansfield, Minister of Natural Resources. “We have very aggressive and achievable goals between now and 2020 and are well on our way to meeting those based on this great early response from Ontarians.”

Trees were planted this spring by conservation authorities, stewardship councils, forestry consultants, local community groups, landowners, municipalities and families at hundreds of planting events and sites on public and private property across the province.

The increased number of trees benefits Ontarians in many ways including: sequestering carbon; enhancing and diversifying southern Ontario’s landscape; increasing adaptive capacity to withstand climate change; moderating local climate by providing shade, moderating temperature extremes and reducing the effects of storms; increasing wildlife habitat; increasing soil and water conservation; and providing local economic opportunities.

All trees planted are native to Ontario. These trees have adapted to the regional environment over thousands of years and are more likely to survive. Trees species include White Cedar, White and Red Pine, White Spruce, White and Red Oak, and Silver and Red Maple.

Tree planting numbers will continue to grow as 100 Ontario landowners have already committed to next year’s target of another 3 million tree seedlings.

To get involved in future tree plantings – whether it is a community planting or on privately-owned land, information is available at www.treesontario.ca. This fall and winter Trees Ontario will be hosting free tree planting workshops across the province. These landowner workshops include information on how to plant trees, the subsidy programs available and good forestry practices.

“The 50 Million Tree Program is a great way for landowners to easily and affordably beautify their land and leave a lasting legacy for their families and the community,” said Ron Clages, an Ontario landowner and a Trees Ontario Green Leader. “Working with the local tree planting agency was easy and the people were great. They came to my property, discussed what I wanted to do and then helped me select and plant the trees.”

Trees Ontario
Trees Ontario, working with its partners, is the largest, not-for-profit tree planting partnership in North America. It is committed to the re-greening of Ontario through a range of tree planting activities. Trees Ontario is also partnering with the Ministry of Natural Resources to help deliver the Ontario government’s commitment to plant 50 million trees by 2020.

The goal of Trees Ontario is to restore the province’s tree planting capacity, especially throughout southern Ontario on private lands, by providing funding and planning support for its tree planting partners. These include local Conservation Authorities, Ontario Stewardship Councils, municipal governments and community volunteer groups.

This year, with its partners, Trees Ontario will plant close to 3 million trees. Visit the Trees Ontario website at www.treesontario.ca.

50 Million Tree Program
In August 2007, the Ontario government introduced a program to fund the planting of 50 million trees across the province by 2020, as part of its commitment to help fight climate change and green the province.

The 50 Million Tree Program is Ontario’s commitment to the United Nations Billion Tree Campaign. The program is also the most ambitious program of its kind in North America and the largest goal of any jurisdiction, anywhere.

The 50 Million Tree Program can significantly cut landowners’ costs of large-scale tree planting and boost the number of trees planted.

For more information contact:
Paul Tyler, GoldFenix Communications, tel: 416-254-0698, email: pt@goldfenixcom.ca
Victoria Ollers, GoldFenix Communications, tel: 416-822-2288, email: vo@goldfenixcom.ca