Feds, Sohi announce tree planting program in Edmonton

The City of Edmonton has committed to increasing the city’s urban forest by 300 hectares — which is over 500 football fields in size — over the next eight years.

“Edmonton is absolutely a stunning, beautiful, beautiful city. And our tree canopy in the river valley contributes to that beauty,” says Edmonton’s mayor, Amarjeet Sohi.

Monday morning, the federal government announced they are spending $47.9 million to support new tree-planting initiatives across Canada, including the city of Edmonton. This will help with the Government of Canada’s commitment to planting two billion trees over 10 years.

Edmonton tree planting program. (Photo Credit: Laura Krause, CityNews)

The federal funding and the city’s commitment of $67 million dollars will be used for tree planting initiatives. Sohi says the city will reach its goal of planting two million additional trees 20 years sooner than their original 2050 goal.

“This grant will allow us to expand our planting efforts over the next 8 years, and bring us closer to our goal of becoming a healthy and climate resilient city.”

The city says they also plan to plant 8,700 net new open space boulevard trees and over 22,000 renewal trees to replace existing trees that have died.

“We do incorporate the most diversity that we can into our planting plans. Whether its park and boulevard open space trees- maintained trees, or naturalization trees. So we have our City of Edmonton landscape standards which has a list of appropriate species for the area, and we also try to match the native species to the ecoregion we are in,” says Nicole Fraser, manager for the City of Edmonton’s park and road services branch.

Tree planters. (Photo Credit: Laura Krause, CityNews)

Sohi says 31 per cent of Edmonton’s priority natural areas were permanently lost due to development between 2000 and 2007.

“Losing these vital ecosystems is one of the most urgent sustainable challenges we are facing. A healthy urban forest is critical to maximize the benefits of a flourishing ecosystem, reducing climate impacts, and creating a welcoming urban environment that continues to attract business growth,” says Sohi.

By 2071, the City is aiming to have 20 per cent canopy cover.

“From providing shade to help keep our city cool, to purifying the air and creating healthy outdoor living spaces, this investment to plant over 1.5 million trees across Edmonton will help create a greener and more sustainable future for generations. This collaborative effort between the City of Edmonton and the Government of Canada demonstrates the power of community and environmental stewardship,” said Randy Boissonnault, the federal Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance in a statement.

Edmonton’s mayor Amarjeet Sohi, Councillors Ashley Salvador and Jo-Anne Write. (Photo Credit: Laura Krause, CityNews)