Building on the City’s tree planting efforts over the past few years and responding to the urgent climate crisis, Mayor Lisa Helps announces the creation of an annual urban tree planting festival in the city.

“Even though it’s a core value in our community, climate change and climate action have not been getting much attention during this campaign,” said Mayor Helps. “The Annual Urban Tree Planting festival responds to calls from the community to plant more trees everywhere in the city. New trees are a great investment as the climate continues to change.”

Last Sunday, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a startling report that revealed we only have 12 years to take bold action and get the climate crisis under control. The IPCC report outlines reforestation as a key strategy in climate mitigation and carbon dioxide removal.

“Trees are Earth’s lungs. They are critical natural assets at this time of rapid climate change. The more trees, the better,” said Rainey Hopewell and Margot Johnston, founders of the Haultain Common. “An Annual Urban Tree Planting Festival will bring the community together, allow us to take joyful action to beautify our public spaces, and mitigate climate change at the same time. What a brilliant plan. Let’s do it!”

The City manages an urban forest of approximately 33,000 trees on 300 kilometers of boulevards and in 137 parks and open spaces. In 2017 the City planted 328 new trees, removed 150 trees and inspected 760 trees. New trees have a 95% survival rate.

Working under the skilled guidance of parks staff, the Annual Urban Tree Planting festival builds on the Tree Appreciation days the City already hosts. Spread out in neighbourhoods across the City, the Festival could see upwards of 1000 trees planted in one day.