The Ontario government has launchd a new initiative to help reach their 50-million trees planted goal by the end of this year.
Each year, Ontario plants approximately three million trees under it’s 50 Million Tree Program(50MTP), and the government is now challenging the public to match it’s target in 2017.
They are looking to achieve this goal by introducing the Green Leaf Challenge. It calls on the public to get involved in making the province greener by asking individuals, organizations, and businesses to participate in community tree planting events. All the progress can be traced at the Green Leaf Challenge website. The site also allows for people to register their trees on interactive maps and access resources.
Ontario initiated the 50 MTP in 2008 as part of its ongoing commitment to fight climate change by planting 50-million trees by 2025 and establishing new forests across Ontario. More than 22.5 million trees have been planted so far in Ontario under the initiative, creating 12-thousand hectares of new forests.
Kathyrn McGarry, minister of natural resources and forestry is excited and hopeful about the new challenge presented to Ontarians.
“The Green Leaf Challenge is an exciting opportunity for our government to encourage Ontario residents to get involved in making our province greener by planting a tree or making a donation to the community which allows more trees to be planted.”
Reforest London will also be taking be joining in on the tree planting for Canada’s 150th birthday. They will be planting in every ward of the city this spring and fall. For more information on tree planting events you can visit Reforest London’s website.
