If the wooded areas in or near your cottage community could do with a little TLC, good news: Tree Canada wants to help. The non-profit is now offering grants to support communities that have suffered tree loss because of natural disasters. Through its Operation ReLeaf program, the organization will provide funding to municipalities, Indigenous communities, Business Improvement Areas, environmental stewardship groups, and conservation authorities.
Operation ReLeaf isn’t new—Tree Canada launched it in 1996 on the heels of massive, tree-destroying flooding in Saguenay, Que. Since then, the organization has supported more than a dozen replanting efforts, with the goal of rehabbing treed areas decimated by destructive natural events: severe pest infestation, plus ice storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, and other climate change-related disasters.
“In the past, Tree Canada would identify areas in need following larger natural disasters, then work with a local partner or individuals to support the recovery process,” says Tree Canada’s Robert Henri. “What’s new this year is that the granting program has an open application, and the grants are available up to $50,000.”
The purpose of this change is to get boots-on-the-ground input as to where the funding is needed, and then, in response, to spread the wealth further and into more communities, including urban areas and forested areas adjacent to them. “Climate impacts are increasingly being felt in these areas,” says Henri. The new granting program will fund multiple, smaller-scale replanting projects instead of only one or two large ones.
3 things to consider when planting a tree
Grants start at $10,000; the deadline for applications is Oct. 15, 2024 (for 2025 planting projects). Groups who want to apply must provide an online proposal that includes a project description, a project timeline, a description of required activities, a landscape plan or site map, an estimate of project expenses, and details on what caused the tree loss.
“Operation ReLeaf is not just about planting trees; it’s about restoring hope and resilience in our communities,” said Nicole Hurtubise, the CEO of Tree Canada, in a recent press release. “Tailoring support to community needs ensures that we address unique local challenges effectively while contributing to a greener future for Canadians.”
To learn more about Operation ReLeaf and to apply for funding, visit Tree Canada’s Operation ReLeaf website.
Related Story 3 things to consider when planting a tree
Related Story The top 10 Canadian weather events of 2023
Related Story Cottage Q&A: Preventative tree maintenance