July 5, 2023

Over 120 trees have been planted in Ottawa Centre as part of a pilot project to help restore the urban canopy. The new initiative is the result of a partnership between Yasir Naqvi, MP for Ottawa Centre and three community organizations.

This spring, a pilot tree-planting program in Ottawa, ON was successfully launched. The four-way partnership includes Yasir Naqvi, MP for Ottawa Centre and three local organizations: Community Associations for Environmental Sustainability (CAFES) Ottawa, Forêt Capitale Forest and Forests Ontario. The project began with a Mother’s Day Tree pick-up, where more than 50 trees were distributed over Mother’s Day weekend to youth and their families to be planted in backyards throughout our community. CAFES Ottawa provided instruction in tree care to ensure that the saplings will grow into resilient trees that serve families and communities for many years to come. This was followed by a second event, where 70 new trees were planted by community volunteers on NCC-approved land along the Rideau River. The pilot project emphasizes tree stewardship to maintain our existing and new trees and promote longevity. This tree-planting and the community stewardship will serve as a successful model for others like it in communities across Ontario.

"Climate change is a real threat to all of us all. One of the best ways to fight climate change is to rely on nature-based solutions. As MP for Ottawa Centre, I’ve been engaging with community members about how we restore our urban tree canopy, especially in the downtown core and surrounding areas to protect and expand our community’s trees and native plants. It was a pleasure to bring together three organizations that are doing incredible work in our community to engage our community members and plant as many trees as possible."

- Yasir Naqvi, Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre

“For CAFES this Mother's Day Tree Planting project was an important first piloting of an inner urban backyard tree planting program in collaboration with youth. It would not have been possible without our innovative four-way partnership!”

- Angela Keller-Herzog, Executive Director of Community Associations for Environmental Sustainability (CAFES)

“In addition to the effort of planting itself, caring for trees is now the Forêt Capitale Forest team's focus. We are excited to build off this pilot project and work with the local community in Old Ottawa South to make sure the newly planted trees survive and thrive.”

- Stephanie McNeely, Director of Forêt Capitale Forest

“Forests Ontario was pleased to take part in this spring’s urban tree canopy initiative in Ottawa. In collaborating with local organizations to share knowledge about planting and caring for trees in our neighbourhoods, we are helping to grow more livable communities, and creating healthy urban green spaces for future generations to enjoy.”

- Jessica Kaknevicius, Chief Executive Officer of Forests Ontario

Quick Facts

• Forêt Capitale Forest is a local non-profit organization based in Ottawa, Ontario whose mission aims to mitigate the effects of climate change by facilitating the planting of forests and raising awareness of the importance of trees and biodiversity.
• Since 2014, Forests Ontario has successfully planted more than 41 million trees. They are a leading not-for-profit organization delivering high-quality, large scale tree plan ting programs across Canada.
• Community Associations for Environmental Sustainability (CAFES) Ottawa is a network of over 150 local environmental and climate leaders in the city of Ottawa which advocates for a healthier and more liveable city and promotes local and neighbourhood actions and initiatives.
• Restoring our urban canopy is a commitment of MP Naqvi’s. Tree-planting is important to reduce the impact of climate change, increase biodiversity and bolster human well-being.
• Last month, 50 trees were distributed to community members to plant and steward in their backyards across the city. 70 trees were planted by a team of volunteers on NCC-approved land along the Rideau River.
• These events are important pilot projects in community tree-planting and tree stewardship and will inform initiatives across the country.
• Community members can become involved in the long-term stewardship of the trees in the community by contacting Martin Nesbitt, the Sustainable Forestry Lead at Forêt Capitale Forest, at [email protected]

Associated Links

Forêt Capitale Forest

CAFES Ottawa

Forests Ontario