Planting more trees in Vaughan
Thousands of new trees are being planted thanks to funding from the Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative
We’re growing our urban forest, one tree at a time! The City of Vaughan is planting thousands of new trees across the city thanks to nearly $2 million in funding from the Government of Canada’s 2 Billion Trees Program, delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative through the Green Municipal Fund.
Today, Mayor Steven Del Duca, Members of Council and City staff were joined by representatives from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to celebrate this significant investment. This funding will directly support the City’s Urban Forest Management Plan, which outlines plans to grow Vaughan’s tree canopy coverage from 20 per cent of the entire community’s landscape to 25 per cent by 2051.
The Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative focuses on planting the right trees in the right places. These trees will be enjoyed for generations to come, providing oxygen, improving mental and physical health, and offering habitats, food and other resources for a variety of species.
The City developed the Urban Forest Management Plan to identify the current state of Vaughan’s urban forest and create a long-term vision to manage it. The plan includes tailored strategies and actions to address specific pressures on Vaughan’s urban forest, including those related to urban development, climate change and extreme weather, invasive pests and asset management.
Vaughan’s vision is for a healthy, growing and sustainable urban forest canopy that supports biodiversity, human health, recreation and climate resilience.
To learn more about the importance of planning for the future of Vaughan’s trees, watch this video or visit vaughan.ca/trees.
QUOTES
“I welcome today’s announcement of nearly $2 million being invested in Vaughan, with funding provided by the Government of Canada’s 2 Billion Trees program and delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative through the Green Municipal Fund. This funding will help the City plant more than 2,900 native trees and 2,700 seedlings across the community, including at North Maple Regional Park which will advance our vision to turn the park into a signature destination for sports, recreation and culture. I want to thank our Forestry Operations team for their tireless dedication to managing our urban forest. I also want to thank the Government of Canada for this significant investment. Together, we can continue to grow Vaughan into a greener community that can be enjoyed for generations to come.”
— Mayor Steven Del Duca
“Trees are essential for healthy, resilient communities. FCM is honoured to work in partnership with the Government of Canada to support Vaughan’s Urban Forest Management Plan through our Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative. Together we are demonstrating how municipalities build better lives for all members of their communities.”
— Rebecca Bligh, President, Federation of Canadian Municipalities
“This project is a great example of local leadership driving national progress which will deliver meaningful benefits for Canadians and our environment. The Government of Canada is proud to partner with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to grow greener, healthier and more-resilient neighbourhoods across the country for generations to come.”
— The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
QUICK FACTS
Mayor Steven Del Duca, Members of Council, City staff and representatives from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities came together on Oct. 27 to celebrate an investment of nearly $2 million into planting trees across Vaughan.
The City of Vaughan secured this funding from the Government of Canada’s 2 Billion Trees program, delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative through the Green Municipal Fund.
This funding will allow the City to plant more than 2,900 native trees and 2,700 seedlings city-wide, including at North Maple Regional Park.
The funding directly supports the City’s Urban Forest Management Plan and the target to grow tree canopy cover from 20 per cent of the entire community’s landscape to 25 per cent by 2051.
The Urban Forest Management Plan Year 1 Annual Report (PDF) was presented at the Sept. 17 Committee of the Whole (Working Session) and approved at the Sept. 22 Council Meeting and provides updates on advancements to the plan throughout the past year.
Vaughan has been recognized as a Tree City of the World for four consecutive years, underscoring its leadership in urban forestry.
LEARN MORE
- The City of Vaughan’s Urban Forestry webpage
- Urban Forest Management Plan (PDF)
- Urban Forest Management Plan Year 1 Annual Report (PDF)
- The Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative webpage
- The Government of Canada’s 2 Billion Trees program webpage
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