Over two million trees planted in Green Acres program

[guest]

The City’s Green Acres Reforestation Program reached a major milestone this year, with the planting of the two millionth tree.

The program is a partnership between the City and its three local conservation authorities: Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority in the west, Rideau Valley Conservation Authority in central and South Nation Conservation Authority in the east. Through this program, residents with unused land can apply to reforest it and receive support to maintain the newly planted trees.

Green Acres generates significant benefits for the entire region. Along with producing oxygen, trees also capture carbon, clean the air, create habitat and help reduce the impacts of floods, droughts and erosion.

Quick facts:

• The Green Acres Rural Reforestation Program was established in the year 2000 to help grow and maintain forest cover by replacing trees lost during the 1998 ice storm and well as to development and construction.
• Green Acres has planted an average of 92,500 trees each year
• Landowners commit to reforesting at least 1.25 acres with a minimum of 1,000 trees
• Conservation authority staff help maintain the new trees for five years to maximize survival rates
• The City provides annual base funding so the conservation authorities can work with willing landowners to create custom planting plans, order the seedlings and complete the planting each spring

The top Ottawa wards for tree planting include:

• West Carleton-March (922,062 trees to date)
• Rideau-Goulbourn (569,536 trees to date)
• Cumberland (249,014 trees to date)
• Osgoode (220,110 trees to date)
• Plus 73,950 across the remaining Ottawa wards

While the 2022 program is already full, residents interested in reforesting their land are encouraged to visit ottawa.ca for more information.

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401). You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

QUOTES

“Forest growth and conservation has never been more vital. The work done through the Green Acres program by the City and its partners will play a huge role in combatting climate change and maintaining the beauty of our rural areas for generations to come.”

-Mayor Jim Watson

“The fact that the program is completely full until 2023 is a huge testament to our residents’ dedication to re-building Ottawa’s rural forests. I encourage all residents with empty land to consider applying for the Green Acres program and help us continue building on this milestone.”

-Councillor Scott Moffatt, Chair of the Standing Committee on Environmental Protection, Water and Waste Management

“Planting trees is one of the best ways to mitigate climate change and to protect our communities against extreme weather like floods. We are incredibly thankful to the City and its rural landowners for their commitment to this program.”

-Ian Cochrane, Forestry Manager, Rideau Valley Conservation Authority

RVCA Media Inquiries​

Diane Downey

diane.downey@rvca.ca

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