Forests Ontario

Nov 06, 2024

Forests Ontario supported the planting of over 117,000 trees in the Cataraqui watershed this year – bringing the all-time total to over 2.5 million

Forests Ontario, together with its national division Forest Recovery Canada, is conserving, restoring and growing Canada's forests to sustain life and communities.

Creating diverse, resilient, thriving forests is one of the most effective, nature-based solutions to combat and mitigate the impacts of climate change, including extreme weather that can lead to drought or wildfires.

In an effort to encourage biodiversity, enhance wildlife habitat, support green job creation, and minimize the devastating effects of climate change, Forests Ontario supported the planting of approximately 2.7 million trees across Canada this year, including over 117,000 in the Cataraqui watershed. That brings the all-time national total to 46.5 million trees planted, and the total to date in the Cataraqui watershed planted by our planting partner Cataraqui Conservation to over 2.5 million trees.

Forests Ontario is active throughout Eastern Ontario.

In addition to the Cataraqui Watershed, Forests Ontario supported the planting of 93,970 trees in the Rideau Valley Watershed, and an all time total of 1.93million. In the Mississippi Valley watershed the total for 2024 is 47,570, and the all time total is 1.06 million, and in the Quinte Conservation Authority region the 2024 number is 107,845, and 1.6 million all time

“We have always built strong relationships with a comprehensive network of experienced partners and experts who understand the transformative power of healthy forests, including Cataraqui Conservation” Jess Kaknevicius, Chief Executive Officer of Forests Ontario, says. “Now, as we are facing the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, it is imperative that we build on this success and continue large-scale planting in the region, with funding for qualified 2025 planting projects available.”

“The funding support available through Forests Ontario has been essential to our afforestation program, landowners, municipalities, and industry partners in our jurisdiction,” Rick Knapton, Cataraqui Conservation’s Forestry Coordinator, says. “We are proud of the partnership that has developed since 2007 with Forests Ontario and the positive impact planting 2.5 million trees has made to combat climate change across our watershed as well as enhancing our local environment.”

“We are very proud of the accomplishments we made with our planting partners in Ontario and across Canada this year, including restoring ecosystems after wildfires and other natural disturbances like extreme wind and precipitation events,” Peter Moddle, National Program Manager, Forests Ontario, says. “It has been an absolute pleasure connecting with local Indigenous communities, woodlot owners and groups, and ENGOs (environmental non-governmental organizations), who are all so passionate about creating healthy, resilient forests.”

“At Forests Ontario, we like to say that we do more than just plant trees, we grow diverse, resilient, thriving forests – but we know that isn’t possible without our incredible planting partners and the generous support of individual donors, corporate partners, members, and municipal, provincial and federal levels of government, so I offer my heartfelt thanks. Together, we can conserve, restore, and grow Canada’s forests,” Kaknevicius says.

If you are interested in planting trees, funding for 2025 planting projects may be available to help significantly reduce the cost and make increasing forest cover on your property easier and more affordable. Please visit forestsontario.ca/50MTP to learn more and fill out the application form.