(Pexels photo)

By Justin Goulet

reducing carbon pollution

Federal government to plant two billion trees over 10 years

Dec 14, 2020 | 12:41 PM

OTTAWA, ON – The federal government has announced its plan to plant two billion trees.

The $3.16 billion investment will see the two billion trees planted across Canada over 10 years.

The government says this will help reduce carbon pollution and is a key part in the country’s goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

“There is no path to net-zero emissions that does not involve our forests,” read a release from the Government of Canada.

“Planting trees is a natural climate solution that reduces emissions while providing other benefits such as improved air and water quality, particularly in urban settings; decreased risk of wildland fire to rural communities and support for biodiversity. It also provides spaces for recreational opportunities that improve quality of life and form part of our Canadian identity.”

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The plan is projected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 12 megatonnes by 2050 and will create up to 4,300 jobs.

The government explained that the tree planting process takes time and care. It begins with ordering the seeds of the desired tree species.

From there, nursery capacity has to be expanded, seedlings must be grown until they’re big enough to plant in the ground, appropriate available land in both cities and rural settings has to be identified for adequate access and soil conditions, and the health and survival of the planted seedlings has to be monitored regularly.

The plan will get trees in the ground starting next spring in urban areas across Canada.

Partnerships have been forged between:

• Indigenous organizations and communities
• Other governments, including provincial, territorial, municipal and Indigenous
• Industry, including forest management and silviculture companies, forest sector associations and nurseries/seed orchards
• Farmers and agricultural stakeholders
• Program delivery agents, organizations with established tree planting programs, such as conservation authorities and not-for-profit organizations
• Corporate and philanthropic organizations with an interest in supporting large-scale tree planting and greening initiatives
• Others, such as woodlot owner associations, private land and woodlot owners, community associations, universities and colleges, private firms, and other non-governmental organizations

Natural Resources Canada is implementing the plan with support from Environment and Climate Change Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

The approach represents a 40 percent annual increase in the number of trees planted in Canada and will include both urban and rural areas across the country.

In 10 years, the federal government says the additional two billion trees will cover more than 1.1 million hectares, an area twice the size of Prince Edward Island.

More information can be found here.

(Lethbridge News Now)