City’s Green Acres Reforestation Program plants 2 millionth tree in Ottawa

As it turns out, it is easier than expected to be green — at least for the city of Ottawa, that is.

In a major milestone this year, the city’s Green Acres Reforestation Program announced Thursday that it has planted its 2 millionth tree in the nation's capital.

“Forest growth and conservation has never been more vital. The work done through the Green Acres program by the city and its partners will play a huge role in combating climate change and maintaining the beauty of our rural areas for generations to come.” Mayor Jim Watson said in a statement.

The program, is a partnership between the city and its three local conservations authorities: Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority in the west, Rideau Valley Conservation Authority in central and South Nation Conservation Authority in the east.

Through the program, residents with unused land can apply to reforest it and receive support to maintain the newly planted trees.

According to the city, the program generates significant benefits for the entire region — among them, the trees produce oxygen, capture carbon, clean the air, create habitat and helps reduce the impacts of floods, droughts and erosion.

The program was established in 2000 as a way to help grow and maintain forest cover by replacing trees lost during the 1998 ice storm as well as to development and construction.

And every year, Green Acres reports planting an average of 92,500 trees.

When landowners take part in the program, they commit to reforesting at least 1.25 acres with a minimum of 1,000 trees.

“Planting trees is one of the best ways to mitigate climate change and to protect our communities against extreme weather like floods. We are incredibly thankful to the City and its rural landowners for their commitment to this program,” Ian Cochrane, forestry manager of the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, said.

As part of the program, conservation authority staff help maintain the new trees for five years to maximize survival rates.

To date, the top wards for tree planting include:

• West Carleton-March with 922,062 trees
• Rideau-Goulbourn with 569,536 trees
• Cumberland with 249,014 trees
• Osgoode with 220,110 trees
• Plus 73,950 trees across the remaining Ottawa wards

While the 2022 program is already full, residents who are interested in taking part in the program in the future can visit ottawa.ca for more information.