Tree Planting Subsidies Help your Health and your Wallet - Get Involved During National Forest Week, September 21-27

Trees Ontario and its 80+ partners are encouraging landowners to consider forest restoration 

TORONTO, Sept. 19, 2014 /CNW/ - This year, National Forest Week is September 21-27, and Trees Ontario, the forest restoration arm of Forests Ontario, and its partners are encouraging all Canadians to get involved in "green" initiatives and celebrate the benefits of forests.

As a landowner, you may be eligible to participate in a tree planting incentive program delivered by Trees Ontario in partnership with the government of Ontario. To date, over 4,000 landowners across the province have made the choice to plant trees on their properties and have contributed to creating strong, healthy forests.

To qualify, landowners must have a minimum of 2.5 acres (one hectare) of land, agree to a 15 year forest management plan, and make a minimum contribution to tree planting costs. Subsidies for tree planting through Trees Ontario's programs save landowners money by covering up to 90% of the total cost of planting. Applicants can apply this fall to begin planting next spring.

For landowners like Glenn Coon from Port Rowan, Ontario, tree planting subsidies have helped him to bring his vision for his property to life, allowing him to plant 9,065 trees in early 2014. "I wasn't aware of the full scope of what was available to me as a landowner," remarked Glenn. "Tree's Ontario's 50 Million Tree Program provided the financial resources to undertake the project and most importantly, connected me with the people who had the expertise to carry out the project."

Experienced staff will assist qualified landowners in restoring and improving their property and community by supplying and planting trees. Find out if you qualify by contacting: Trees Ontario at [email protected] or 416.646.1193/1.877.646.1193.

If tree planting isn't an option, there are other ways to get involved during National Forest Week:

• Focus on Forests: Forests Ontario's education program connects students with nature through various educational resources for grades K-12. Students and educators are invited to access online and in-class resources to develop forestry knowledge.
• Tree Seedling Gifts: Commemorate your National Forest Week special event by gifting native tree seedlings to attendees. Seedlings come wrapped in burlap and include a card with planting instructions.
• In Memoriam: Plant a tree in memory of a loved one.
• Corporate Engagement: Engage your employees and customers by organizing a "green" team-building event that also gives back to the community.
• Volunteer: Volunteering with Forests Ontario is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, meet people in your community, and promote forest restoration efforts. Active volunteers are also eligible for volunteer certificates, which can be used towards community service hours.

Trees are important for a number of reasons, including helping to mitigate climate change (by producing oxygen and sequestering carbon emissions), alleviating soil erosion, cleansing the air and water of pollutants, providing shade, noise abatement and wind protection, and according to recent research, contributing to improved emotional and mental health.

About Trees Ontario

Trees Ontario is the forest restoration arm of Forests Ontario. Forests Ontario is committed to the re-greening of Ontario through tree planting efforts on rural lands and in urban areas, as well as the renewal and stewardship of Ontario's forests through restoration, education and awareness.

Trees Ontario is the lead delivery agent for the government of Ontario's 50 Million Tree Program. The program significantly cuts landowners' costs of large-scale tree planting and boosts the number of trees planted across the province. Visit www.treesontario.ca or follow us @Forests_Ontario. 

About Forests Ontario

Forests Ontario was created in 2014 as a result of the merging of not-for-profit organizations Trees Ontario and the Ontario Forestry Association (OFA). Forests Ontario is committed to the re-greening of Ontario through tree planting efforts on rural lands and in urban areas as well as the renewal and stewardship of Ontario's forests. Forests Ontario and its 85 provincial partners work to protect, renew and manage forest resources through programs, services and advocacy.

Image with caption: "Trees are celebrated during National Forest Week, Sept. 21-27, and Forests Ontario encourages Canadians to participate in greening their yards and communities. (CNW Group/Trees Ontario)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140919_C3215_PHOTO_EN_5783.jpg

SOURCE: Trees Ontario

including photos, please contact: Shelley McKay, Director of Communications & Development, e: [email protected], p: 416-646-1193 ext. 232