Cities in Canada are Recognized through Tree Cites of the World Programme

Ottawa, Canada (February 5, 2020) — Nine cities in Canada have been honored with Tree Cities of the World recognition by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Arbor Day Foundation. These cities are among the first around the world to be recognized for their commitment to urban forestry management.

The Tree Cities of the World programme is a partnership of FAO and the Arbor Day Foundation that began in 2019. Its shared vision is to connect cities around the world in a new network dedicated to adopting the most successful approaches to managing urban trees and forests. To earn this recognition, each city met five core standards for urban forest management.

“We are proud to be the Canadian partner in Arbor Day’s Tree Cities of the World programme. Tree Canada believes in taking tangible steps to increase the tree canopy cover in cities across the country,” says Danielle St-Aubin, CEO of Tree Canada. “We applaud the participating Canadian cities; they are showing their commitment to improving lives where people live and breathe.”

Trees provide multiple benefits to a city when properly planted and maintained. They help to improve visual appeal, increase property values, reduce home cooling costs, remove air pollutants and provide wildlife habitat, among many other benefits.

“We congratulate the first cities to be recognized for 2019, our inaugural year,” said Hiroto Mitsugi, assistant director general, FAO. “Together, these Tree Cities form a new global network of urban forestry leaders that share the same values for city trees and forests. We are proud to recognize these cities for their actions toward healthier, greener places to live.”

Edmonton, Halifax and Toronto are among nine recognized Canadian cities participating in the programme.

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About Tree Canada

Tree Canada is the only national non-profit organization dedicated to planting and nurturing trees in rural and urban environments. Through our programs, research and educational efforts, we have helped restore tree cover in areas hit by natural disasters, guided communities in managing their urban forests, helped green 660 schoolyards and organized urban forest conferences. To date, with our community partners and sponsors, we have planted more than 82 million trees.
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For interviews, photos and more information:

Cristiane Doherty
Communications and Marketing Manager
Tree Canada
cdoherty@treecanada.ca
613-567-5545 ext. 224