The importance of nature to our future has never been clearer.
The federal Two Billion Trees commitment can prepare Canada’s urban areas for the future and reverse biodiversity loss where it is most at risk. Our vision, alongside our partners at the Southern Ontario Nature Coalition (SONC), is that 54 million native trees are needed in the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH) area.
Why 54 Million Trees are Needed
Planting 54 million native trees in the Greenbelt and GGH is a key recommendation in the Southern Ontario Nature Coalition’s (SONC) Near-Urban Nature Network: A Solution for Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss. The GGH is the most rapidly growing area in the country, where one in four Canadians live. Forest cover in the GGH currently stands below Environment and Climate Change Canada’s 30 per cent target for healthy forests. Planting 54 million trees will reach this target and set the stage for achieving future targets of 40-50 per cent forest cover and self-sustaining natural systems and species.
Planting 54 million trees will also:
- Improve air quality
- Help beat extreme heat waves
- Reduce flood risk and water pollution
- Connect more people to nature
- Provide jobs and support local economies
- Enhance greenspace and make communities more climate resilient.
Read about our vision for this project here:
