Canada’s Tree Planting Drive Nears One Billion Mark in Landmark Climate Effort

Image Credit: Chil Vera

Ottawa — Canada’s ambitious tree planting initiative is showing significant progress, with nearly one billion trees now under agreement to be planted as part of the federal government’s 2 Billion Trees program.

The update, delivered August 29 by Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, highlights how the program is reshaping the country’s response to climate change and environmental restoration. Since its launch in 2021, the initiative has secured partnerships with 11 provinces and territories, 58 Indigenous organizations, 30 municipalities, and 88 non-governmental groups.

So far, more than 228 million trees have already taken root, helping to restore landscapes damaged by wildfires, protect wildlife habitat, and capture carbon from the atmosphere. These plantings, the government says, are part of a larger effort to conserve biodiversity and strengthen ecosystems across Canada.

“Nature is part of Canadian identity, and we will continue to protect and defend it for future generations,” Hodgson said in his announcement. He noted that the country is on track to commit nearly one billion trees in partnership with communities nationwide.

The effort has been framed not only as an environmental necessity but also as a cultural and social one. Nathalie Provost, Secretary of State for Nature, emphasized that the damage caused by recent wildfires underscores the urgency of action. “Through tree planting and forest restoration, we’re not only repairing what’s been lost, we’re also investing in the future,” she said.

The 2 Billion Trees program forms a cornerstone of Canada’s broader climate and conservation strategy. Beyond tree planting, the federal government has pledged to create at least 10 new national parks and marine conservation areas, along with 15 new urban parks, all while working toward the global goal of protecting 30 percent of the country’s lands and waters by 2030.

Officials stress that the initiative is about more than raw numbers. By collaborating with Indigenous partners, municipalities, non-profits, and private organizations, the program is designed to ensure that the benefits of tree planting—carbon storage, ecosystem renewal, and stronger communities—will endure well into the future.

As the project heads into its next phase, Canada’s tree planting drive is being positioned not just as a climate policy, but as a generational investment in the landscapes that define the country.