50 Million Tree Program
Trees Ontario and MNR Partner to Plant 50 Million Trees by 2020
The Ontario government has committed to plant 50 million trees by 2020 to help fight climate change and re-green the province. Ontario's commitment represents one of the biggest pledges in North America to the United Nations Billion Tree Campaign.
The goal of the 50 Million Tree Program is to sequester carbon; enhance and diversify southern Ontario’s landscape; increase adaptive capacity to withstand climate change; moderate local climate by providing shade, moderating temperature extremes and reducing the effects of storms; increase wildlife habitat; increase soil and water conservation, and provide local economic opportunities.
The program is designed to significantly reduce landowner’s costs of large-scale tree planting and thereby increase the number of trees planted.
Trees Ontario is working with local tree planting agencies in Ontario, including regional Conservation Authorities and local Ontario Stewardship councils to implement this program, as well as continuing to work with these agencies on its other tree planting grant programs.
Planting agencies work directly with landowners to determine site eligibility, allocate funding and coordinate planting.
Landowner and Site Requirements
- Have a productive area at least one hectare in size; smaller areas may be considered depending on the landscape context
- Ensure land is open or mostly open and has not been a woodland as defined by the Forestry Act since December 31, 1989.
- Sign a 15-year management agreement to maintain the trees
- Employ good forestry practices
- May have to assume some of the additional costs for trees, to implement the plan and to maintain the trees
How to Apply
Landowners should complete the online landowner registration form or contact your local planting agency.
Click here to read about other Trees Ontario planting programs.
