In recognition of the important tree planting work that is being done across the province as part of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources’ 50 Million Tree Program, Trees Ontario, local planting partner Conservation Halton and Ted McMeekin, Minister of Government and Consumer Services, MPP Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale, invite you toattend an official tree planting ceremony on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 1:00 p.m., just north of Flamborough.

In August 2007, the Ontario government introduced a program to fund the planting of 50 million trees across the province by 2020, as part of its commitment to help fight climate change and green the province.

The 50 Million Tree Program is Ontario’s commitment to the United Nations Billion Tree Campaign. The program is the most ambitious program of its kind and the largest goal of any jurisdiction, anywhere.

Working with the MNR and its tree-planting partners, Trees Ontario will plant two million trees over the next year as part of this program.

Ceremony attendees will have the opportunity to visit a program property to see how large-scale tree planting initiatives boost the number of total trees planted, enhance and diversify southern Ontario’s landscape; and increase adaptive capacity to withstand climate change.

WHAT:            50 Million Tree Program Planting Ceremony

WHEN:            Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 1:00 p.m.

WHERE:         Take Highway 6 north from QEW (403) and then turn left (west) onto 521 Concession Road 5 W (Milgrove Rd) for 8.5 kms. The planting site is on the north side, (firecode sign number 673). Look for the Fuciarelli property sign. There will be parking on the site.

Trees Ontario and local planting partner staff will meet event attendees at the road site entrance. Look for sandwich board and Conservation Halton vehicle.

WHO:              Trees Ontario, Conservation Haltonand the Honourable Ted McMeekin, Minister of Government and Consumer Services, MPP Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale

For more information contact:

e|c|o

huffd@huffstrategy.com 

tel: (416) 972-7404

on-site: (416) 805-7720

Trees Ontario

Trees Ontario, working with its partners, is the largest, not-for-profit tree planting agency in North America. It is committed to the re-greening of Ontario through a range of tree planting activities. Trees Ontario is also partnering with the Ministry of Natural Resources to help deliver the Ontario government’s commitment to plant 50 million trees by 2020.

The goal of Trees Ontario is to restore the province’s tree planting capacity, especially throughout southern Ontario on private lands, by providing funding and planning support for its tree planting partners. These include local Conservation Authorities, stewardship councils, municipal governments and community volunteer groups. 

This spring Trees Ontario, with its partners, will plant nearly 3 million trees. Its goal is to increase tree planting to 10 million trees every year by 2015. Visit the Trees Ontario website at www.treesontario.on.ca . Planting tomorrow’s forests.

50 Million Tree Program

In August 2007, the Ontario Government introduced a program to fund the planting of 50 million trees across the province by 2020, as part of their commitment to help fight climate change and green the province.

This is the most ambitious program of its kind in North America and is Ontario’s commitment to the United Nations Billion Tree Campaign by 2008/09.

In the first phase of the program, the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) will invest up to $4.2 million and will partner with Trees Ontario. Trees Ontario will be the delivery agent for the ministry, and the target in this phase is to plant 2 million trees.

The goal of the 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 new program is designed to significantly reduce landowner’s costs of large-scale tree planting and thereby increase the number of trees planted.

Trees Ontario will work with local tree planting agencies in Ontario, including regional Conservation Authorities and local Ontario Stewardship councils to implement this new program, as well as continuing to work with these agencies on its ongoing tree plant subsidy programs.

Planting agencies will work directly with landowners to determine site eligibility, allocate funding and coordinate planting.

To find out more and how to apply, log on to:

http://www.treesontario.on.ca/partners/index.php/fifty_million.