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Forests Ontario supported the planting of over 117,000 trees in the Cataraqui watershed this year – bringing the all-time total to over 2.5 million - Environmental Communication Options/Huff Strategy

Forests Ontario supported the planting of over 117,000 trees in the Cataraqui watershed this year – bringing the all-time total to over 2.5 million

Oct 29th, 2024 6:34 AM

Barrie, Ont. (October 29, 2024) – In an effort to encourage biodiversity, enhance wildlife habitat, support green job creation, and minimize the devastating effects of climate change, Forests Ontario supported the planting of approximately 2.7 million trees across Canada this year, including over 117,000 in the Cataraqui watershed. That brings the all-time national total to 46.5 million trees planted, and the total to date in the Cataraqui watershed planted by our planting partner Cataraqui Conservation to over 2.5 million trees.

“We have always built strong relationships with a comprehensive network of experienced partners and experts who understand the transformative power of healthy forests, including Cataraqui Conservation” Jess Kaknevicius, Chief Executive Officer of Forests Ontario, says. “Now, as we are facing the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, it is imperative that we build on this success and continue large-scale planting in the region, with funding for qualified 2025 planting projects available.”

“The funding support available through Forests Ontario has been essential to our afforestation program, landowners, municipalities, and industry partners in our jurisdiction,” Rick Knapton, Cataraqui Conservation’s Forestry Coordinator, says. “We are proud of the partnership that has developed since 2007 with Forests Ontario and the positive impact planting 2.5 million trees has made to combat climate change across our watershed as well as enhancing our local environment.”

“We are very proud of the accomplishments we made with our planting partners in Ontario and across Canada this year, including restoring ecosystems after wildfires and other natural disturbances like extreme wind and precipitation events,” Peter Moddle, National Program Manager, Forests Ontario, says. “It has been an absolute pleasure connecting with local Indigenous communities, woodlot owners and groups, and ENGOs (environmental non-governmental organizations), who are all so passionate about creating healthy, resilient forests.”

“At Forests Ontario, we like to say that we do more than just plant trees, we grow diverse, resilient, thriving forests – but we know that isn’t possible without our incredible planting partners and the generous support of individual donors, corporate partners, members, and municipal, provincial and federal levels of government, so I offer my heartfelt thanks. Together, we can conserve, restore, and grow Canada’s forests,” Kaknevicius says.

If you are interested in planting trees, funding for 2025 planting projects may be available to help significantly reduce the cost and make increasing forest cover on your property easier and more affordable. Please visit forestsontario.ca/50MTP to learn more and fill out the application form.

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For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Matthew Brown
Communications Manager

Forests Ontario / Forest Recovery Canada

Cell: 519-471-4751
E-mail: MBrown@forestsontario.ca


About Forests Ontario & Forest Recovery Canada

Forests Ontario is the province’s leading charity dedicated to the creation, preservation, and maintenance of forest and grassland habitats. Our ambitious, large-scale tree planting initiatives, extensive educational programs, and decades of community outreach result in millions of trees being planted each year.

Together with our national division, Forest Recovery Canada, we work with our many partners across the country to plant native trees and ensure our efforts today thrive and grow into tomorrow’s diverse, healthy, and resilient forests.

Visit www.forestsontario.ca or follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, or LinkedIn to find out more.

Photo

Caption: Spring 2024 tree planting site in Front of Yonge Township using a mechanical tree planter.