Today, Tree Canada, the only national non-profit organization dedicated to planting and nurturing trees in rural and urban environments, will plant 3,000 trees in 12 communities across Canada in celebration of the 10th anniversary of National Tree Day.
At a time when many Canadians have found solace in trees and nature during the course of the pandemic, the need for trees, and their equitable spread, in our urban communities have become ever more important.
Trees help people live longer, healthier lives. Exposure to nature reduces stress, speeds healing and helps improve mental health. Research shows that walking through a forest for just 15 minutes can lower symptoms of anxiety and depression and boost positive mood.
Climate change is also top of mind for many Canadians. Planting trees are a practical and economical way to fight climate change and are an easy and natural way to cool and beautify cities.
Given that forest cover in Canadian cities has been declining over the past 20 years and that more than 80 per cent of the population now lives in urban areas, it is critical to continue efforts on increasing the canopy and resiliency of Canada’s urban forests.
According to Tree Canada, by bringing people and communities together through tree planting initiatives, we all become part of the solution.
The communities involved include: North Vancouver, BC; Edmonton, AB; Saskatoon, SK; Winnipeg, MB; Mississauga, ON; Markham, ON; Ottawa, ON; Montreal, QC; Quebec City, QC; Saint John, NB; Charlottetown, PE; and, St. John’s, NF.
Tree Canada is inviting Canadians to plant trees with them in communities across the country, register their own National Tree Day events or search for events near them on Tree Canada’s National Tree Day event registry.
Where:
| City | Tree Planting Location | Tree Planting Date and Time (local times) |
| St. John’s | Red Cliff Parking Area
Meeting Location: Red Cliff parking area off Cobblers path (Hiking Trail) St. John’s, NL
|
Wednesday, September 22
4 p.m. – 6 p.m. |
| Charlottetown | Upton Farmland 3 different locations
Meeting Location: PEI School of Guitar (161 Maypoint Rd) Charlottetown, PE |
Wednesday, September 22
4 p.m. – 6 p.m. |
| Saint John | Caledonia stormwater retention pond
Meeting Location: At the entrence of the pedestrian trail on Cambridge Dr. (in front of 16 Cambridge Dr.) Saint John, NB
|
Wednesday, September 22
4 p.m. – 6 p.m. |
| Quebec City | Ancienne-Lorette
Meeting Location: Jonction Rue Charles Gill et Rue Parisien Quebec City, QC
|
Wednesday, September 22
2 p.m. – 4 p.m. or 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. |
| Montreal | Mont Royal Meeting Location: Maison Smith, 1260 chemin Remembrance Montreal, QC |
Wednesday, September 22
4 p.m. – 6 p.m. |
| Ottawa | Chapel Hill Meeting Location:Near the corner of Jeanne D’Arc and Hunters Run, behind bus stop 7788 Ottawa, ON |
Wednesday, September 22
4 p.m. – 6 p.m. |
| Markham | Milne Dam Conservation Area Meeting Location: Parking Lot at 6 Princess Street Markham, ON |
Wednesday, September 22
4 p.m. – 6 p.m. |
| Mississauga | Erindale Park
Mississauga, ON (Note: this is a private sponsor event, not open to the public) |
Wednesday, September 22
|
| Winnipeg | FortWhyte Alive Meeting Location: 1961 McCleary Road Winnipeg, MB |
Wednesday, September 22
4 p.m. – 6 p.m. |
| Saskatoon | Diefenbaker Park
Meeting Location: The west end of the Ball Diamond in Diefenbaker Park. Saskatoon, SK
|
Wednesday, September 22
2 p.m. – 5 p.m. |
| Edmonton | Rundle Park
Meeting Location: 2909 113 Avenue (Parking lot at the base of the Rundle Park Sled Hill. Note: if you’ve reached the Tennis courts or ACT Recreation Centre you’ve gone too far.) Edmonton, AB
|
Wednesday, September 22
4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. |
| North Vancouver | Larson Park Meeting Location:502 West 22nd Street, North Vancouver. Meet on the corner of Larson Road and Larson Crescent North Vancouver, BC
|
Wednesday, September 22
4 p.m. – 6 p.m. |
For further information on National Tree Day events, how to get involved or to donate, visit: treecanada.ca/nationaltreeday
Featured image: Tree Fields by Getty Images.
