Forests and trees capture and store carbon, clean the air we breathe, improve water quality, enhance biodiversity, and help cool urban centers. Trees also play a vital role in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss and improve human wellbeing by creating more green spaces for recreational activities and sanctuaries for connecting with nature.
The Government of Canada is committed to planting two billion trees across the country, which is why the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and Jess Kaknevicius, CEO of Forests Ontario, today announced a joint commitment to plant 31 million trees across the country through the
2 Billion Trees program. The Government of Canada will cover 50 percent of the project costs for this $123-million project and Forests Ontario will work with corporate supporters, partners, and donors across the country to contribute the balance.
Forests Ontario has established a comprehensive network that includes experts who collect high-quality seed, grow the seedlings with trusted nurseries, work with local planting partners, and manage survival assessments to support the long-term health and resiliency of .these new trees Over the past 20 years, Forests Ontario has been responsible for planting more than 43 million trees on over 8,000 project sites across Canada - creating approximately 20,500 hectares of new forests.
This funding agreement between Forests Ontario and Natural Resources Canada will create good jobs through the lifetime of the project, broaden Forests Ontario's capability to deliver large-scale tree planting projects with partners across the country, continuing their work alongside organizations committed to improving climate resilience and biodiversity in our natural environments - goals that are in direct alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Trees are essential - they capture carbon, improve air quality and support wildlife - and they are important allies in the fight against climate change. Today's announcement will help ensure tree planting across the country, helping to clean the air, create jobs and protect nature. By working together with provinces, territories, non-governmental organizations, local communities and Indigenous Peoples, Canada continues to build a strong, healthy future for generations to come.
