Moncton – Forests and trees capturing and storing carbon, offer habitats for wildlife, mitigate hot weather in cities and towns, ensure clean water and soil, and deliver essential spiritual, cultural and recreational benefits to Canadians from coast to coast. By planting two billion trees over a decade, the Government of Canada is taking a significant step forward in our country’s approach to tackling the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity decline.
Today, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veteran Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, on the behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, alongside the Honourable Hugh J.A. (Ted) Flemming, New Brunswick Minister for Natural Resources and Energy Development, Annika Chiasson, Executive Director of New Brunswick Environmental Network, and Shane Boyd, Project lead of Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance, announced over $71 million in federal and provincial funding to support tree-planting projects in New Brunswick.
Together, the Government of Canada and the Government of New Brunswick will provide more than $71 million to support progressive tree planting in New Brunswick, ensuring the right trees are planted in the right places so that the province’s forests can thrive in a changing climate. With this investment, the Province of New Brunswick aims to plant over 52 million climate-resilient trees on publicly managed land: the equivalent of planting over 60 trees for each resident of New Brunswick.
Other projects funded in the province include:
- A $295,000 contribution for the New Brunswick Environmental Network (NBEN), which will use the funding to educate and train individuals and organizations on seed collection, tree planting and restoration techniques. The NBEN will collaborate with local nurseries to grow native and climate-resilient seedlings from collected seeds. These services will be available to tree-planting organizations and landowners in New Brunswick.
- A $33,000 contribution for the Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance to work with local communities in identifying and caring for tree-planting sites in the City of Dieppe. This project has empowered local community tree-planting initiatives by transferring knowledge through staff and volunteer training, which resulted in 2,000 new trees being planted in Dieppe in 2023.
Federal funding comes from the 2 Billion Trees program, part of the Government of Canada’s broader approach to nature-based climate solutions. Trees planted help to clean the air, keep neighborhoods cool in the summer, create jobs and fight climate change while protecting nature. By working together with provinces, territories, local communities, non-and for-profit organizations and Indigenous Peoples, Canada continues to build a strong, healthy future for generations to come.
Quotes
“Partnering with provinces and territories plays a critical role in the sustainable management of our forests and tackling the dual crisis of climate change and biodiversity loss. The Government of Canada is pleased to be partnering with New Brunswick to continue making progress toward planting trees that will clean the air we breathe, improve water quality and mitigate climate change across Canada. Through collaborative action and dedication, we are taking a step in the right direction to create a healthier environment for generations to come.” – Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
“An investment in the future of our environment is an investment in the future health and well-being of Canadians. In collaboration with our provincial partners, this initiative will help restore and enhance biodiversity by planting climate-resilient native trees. In the face of a changing climate, we are committed to ensuring the long-term sustainability of our magnificent and diverse forests in New Brunswick.” – Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veteran Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence