June 7, 2022 Ottawa, Ontario Natural Resources Canada
Planting two billion trees across the country will help Canada's efforts to tackle the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. Trees capture and store carbon from the atmosphere, improve air and water quality, support biodiversity and create and support thousands of good jobs.
Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, announced over $2.4 million in funding through the 2 Billion Trees program (2BT) to Trees for Life.
With this funding, Trees for Life will engage partners and collaborators on 34 different tree-planting projects. These projects will range in size, style and scope and, working in different communities and ecosystems, will plant approximately 600,000 trees in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick this tree-planting season. Trees for Life is a national charity committed to mobilizing, empowering and inspiring tree-planting initiatives across Canada.
Launched in 2021, 2BT is part of the Government of Canada's broader approach to nature-based climate solutions. It contributes to Canada's efforts to mitigate climate change while achieving key biodiversity and conservation goals, as well as supporting human well-being.
The program is on track to reach the target of two billion trees over the next decade and is designed to support organizations across Canada in planting an increasing number of trees each year. In its first year, the program signed agreements to support organizations in planting approximately 30 million trees, representing more than 50 species, at more than 500 sites across all provinces. Going forward, the Government of Canada is entering into long-term agreements to secure planting over 10 years. By 2026, the program aims to plant 250-350 million trees annually.
