Toronto – Mayor Olivia Chow participated in a community tree planting event at Caledonia Park to celebrate National Tree Day and highlight the City of Toronto’s ongoing investment in its urban forest. Through the 2024 Budget, the City has committed $15 million to plant 120,000 trees and shrubs across Toronto, reinforcing efforts to expand the tree canopy and improve environmental resilience.
This year’s theme for National Forest Week, “Two-Eyed Seeing: Welcoming All Knowledge to Sustain Our Forests”, emphasizes the importance of integrating Indigenous traditional knowledge with modern science to create a sustainable future for Toronto’s urban forest. As part of the celebrations, more than 1,050 native trees and shrubs have been or will be planted across the city, focusing on areas with lower tree density to promote equity in green spaces.
National Forest Week (NFW), held from September 22 to 28, raises awareness about the vital role of forests in our history, culture and economy. It promotes urban tree importance, local tree planting and participation in stewardship events. NFW coincides with National Tree Day, held on September 25, which celebrates the beauty and benefits of trees.
The City’s 2024 operating budget included an increase of $970,000 to:
- Plant 1,000 additional trees, increasing the total number of trees planted in 2024 to 120,000
- Water 14,000 additional trees
- Prune 1,000 additional trees to maintain their health and safety
In May, the City launched a tree equity tool to help ensure trees are distributed fairly across different neighbourhoods. The tool, created with American Forests and Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests (LEAF), uses data on land use, demographics and income to find areas where more trees are needed. For more information, visit the City’s Tree Planting webpage.
Toronto’s urban forest, with more than 11.5 million trees, provides critical environmental benefits, including improved air quality, climate resilience, and reduced energy costs through shading. Trees are essential for reducing greenhouse gases and managing water levels to prevent erosion.
Residents can learn about the vital contributions trees make to Toronto’s ecosystem and their role in mitigating climate change, as well as find information on the City’s tree planting, maintenance, and protection efforts, by visiting the City’s Tree Planting webpage. For budget-related details, visit the City’s Back on Track webpage.
“National Tree Day is a wonderful opportunity for us to come together as a community and celebrate the essential role our urban forests play in making Toronto a healthier and more vibrant city. By investing in trees, we are not only getting Toronto Back on Track but also enhancing our City’s resilience. I encourage all Torontonians to get involved, whether by planting a tree or appreciating the beauty of our urban canopy.” – Mayor Olivia Chow