Governments give nearly $72M for tree planting, N.B. aims to plant 52 million trees over 8 years

Millions of new trees will be planted in New Brunswick aftertwo levels of government pledged large amounts of funding toward reforestation.

The federal and provincial governments announced$71.6 million to plant more than 52 million climate-resilient trees on Crown lands across the province in the next eight years. The cost is being split evenly between the province of New Brunswick and Natural Resources Canada.

"If we don't act, our planet will be the worse-off for the next generation and I think it is all upon us," said Ginette Petitpas Taylor,member of Parliament for Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe, at Friday morning's announcement.

"In the fight against climate change, we have no better resource than our vast forests and here in New Brunswick, we certainly know that we have a lot of that," she said, standing in Moncton's Centennial Park.

WATCH | 'This is a great announcement'

$71M in seed money has Moncton mayor seeing green

2 months ago

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In a joint announcement, the federal and provincial governments will give more than $71 million over the next eight years to support climate-resilient tree planting in the province.

Petitpas Taylor said trees are vital for biodiversity as they house and feed the wildlife and help nature in several ways, including fresh air, shade and rehabilitation of damaged lands.

She said the forests in New Brunswick are feeling the impact of climate change and the types of trees planted under this new funding will help make forests more climate resilient.

Petitpas Taylor called it "a new milestone for New Brunswick's re-greening story."

The federal funding falls under the Canadian government's two-billion-trees program, which isscheduled to end in 2031.

Trees help cool urban areas

Moncton Mayor Dawn Arnold said getting new roots to hold the soil is extremely important for urban areas.

"For all of the reasonsthat we all know, as far as carbon capture, for oxygen, for just creating cool spaces," said Arnold.

She said "there weren't many spots to cool off" at a recent event in Moncton, referring to last weekend's Buskers Festival.

She said she hopes some of these climate-resilient trees will be planted in urban centres to help cities stay cool amidst climate change.

As the city of Moncton grows, future housing developments could requiretrees to be cleared, so it'sa timely move, said Arnold.

"We need to ensure that those trees are being replaced and that our urban tree canopy is sustained."

Arnold called the province's future "green" and "leafy."

Funding to double province's capacity

The province's Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development's tree nursery in Island Viewcurrently produces about 15 million seedlings a yearto supportplanting programs on Crown lands and private woodlots, according to the province of New Brunswick.

"The nursery's capacity will be doubled, with assistance from the federal government," stated the media release.

The funds will help modernize and expand the 40-year-old nursery to maintain the supply of seedlings to support the government's goal of planting more than 52 million trees.

The nurserycurrently produceswhite, black and red spruce trees along with some pine species.

Federal support for environmental groups

The federal government also announced grants to support two groups involved in environmental conservation.

ThePetitcodiac Watershed Alliance was given $33,000 to work with local communities to identify and take care of planting sites in Dieppe, said Petitpas Taylor.

She also announced $295,000 for the New Brunswick Environmental Network,an organization that provides training and education for seed collection, tree planting and restoration techniques.

Nat Goguen, a spokesperson for the network, said the preservation of forests should have started earlier since "almost every species in New Brunswick is dependent on a tree in some way."

They acknowledged the length of time required for seedlings to becomemature trees, but said every small plant is some help.

"Even when it is just looking like a little shrub, it can add some shade, it can add a home for something to live in," they said.