FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Ottawa, Dec. 14 2020) — Nature Canada welcomes the launch of the two billion trees program by Natural Resources Minister Seamus O’Regan today. While the Minister underscored the importance of the project as a natural climate solution, Nature Canada is highlighting the opportunity the program represents to improve and protect biodiversity.

These two billion trees can be a key part of our fight against carbon emissions and the acknowledgement that the program will contribute to safeguarding biodiversity as well as create jobs and support people’s well-being is important.

“Planting trees ignites hope. Done well, the tree program will play an important role in helping Canada reach both our climate and nature protection commitments,” said Graham Saul, Executive Director of Nature Canada.

Nature Canada is pleased to see the establishment of an advisory committee of experts to advise on program delivery. The committee should include expertise in biodiversity, conservation, climate as well as Indigenous knowledge holders.

“It is good to see the government acknowledge that this program will take careful planning to ensure all of the benefits are realized,” said Saul. “Planting the right trees in the right places for the right reasons is no small feat, as the Minister has acknowledged. We will continue to work with partners to ensure the program also maximizes benefits for biodiversity alongside climate.”

After the 2019 throne speech, Nature Canada identified the plan to plant two billion trees over a decade as critical to delivering on Canada’s ambitious commitments to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and to protect 25 per cent of land and ocean by 2025.

Planting native trees in key and damaged ecosystems will help threatened wildlife and curb emissions, as well as create jobs, spur economic recovery and promote health and resilience in communities across Canada. Nature Canada also applauds the long term vision that sees these two billion trees as permanent new forest cover across Canada.

Nature Canada is committed to collaborating with government and NGO partners to ensure the tree planting program makes a lasting contribution to our climate and nature goals and supports human health and resilience as part of a nature-centred recovery for all Canadians.

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Nature Canada has been a voice for nature for more than 80 years. We are a charitable organization advocating the conservation of land and the protection of waterways, and oceans to help stop the loss of species. We facilitate mobilization among more than 900 nature organizations and 100,000 nature-lovers while helping Canadians connect to nature. Learn more at naturecanada.ca.

Please contact:
Scott Mullenix
smullenix@naturecanada.ca
Mobile 250-240-2804