Tree Canada boosts Canada’s urban canopy and communities’ spirits on the tenth anniversary of National Tree Day

September 22, 2021 – Ottawa, ON  Today, Tree Canada and close to 600 volunteers will plant over 3,000 trees in twelve communities across Canada in celebration of the tenth anniversary of National Tree Day.

Tree Canada, along with community volunteers from North Vancouver (BC), Edmonton (AB), Saskatoon (SK), Winnipeg (MB), Mississauga (ON), Markham (ON), Ottawa (ON), Montreal (QC), Quebec City (QC), Saint John (NB), Charlottetown (PE) and St.John’s (NF) all joined forces in their efforts to plant trees in their individual communities to demonstrate first-hand what trees mean to them and how important they are to them and their communities.

At a time when many Canadians have found solace in trees and nature during the course of the pandemic, the need for trees, and their equitable spread, in our urban communities have become ever more important. Trees help us live longer, healthier lives. Exposure to nature reduces stress, speeds healing and helps improve mental health. Research shows that walking through a forest for just 15 minutes can lower symptoms of anxiety and depression and boost positive mood.

Climate change is also top of mind for many Canadians. Planting trees are a practical and economical way to fight climate change and are an easy and natural way to cool and beautify our cities.

Given that forest cover in Canadian cities has been declining over the past 20 years and that more than 80 percent of our population now lives in urban areas (four out of every five people), it is more important than ever that continued efforts are placed on increasing the canopy and resiliency of Canada’s urban forests. By bringing people and communities together through tree planting initiatives, we all become part of the solution.

Canadians were also able to register their own National Tree Day events or search for ones nearby on Tree Canada’s National Tree Day event registry.

For more on National Tree Day, how to get involved or to donate, visit treecanada.ca/nationaltreeday, or join the conversation at #NationalTreeDay, #NTD2021; #10YearsOfNTD.

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About National Tree Day:
National Tree Day serves as a celebration for all Canadians to appreciate the great benefits that trees provide us – clean air, wildlife habitat, reducing energy demand and connecting with nature. Falling on the Wednesday of National Forest Week every year, this year National Tree Day is on Wednesday, September 22. This year marks the 10^th anniversary of National Tree Day.

On March 2, 2011 a private members motion to declare the Wednesday of National Forest Week, National Tree Day, received consent from the House of Commons.
treecanada.ca/nationaltreeday; #NationalTreeDay, #NTD2021; #10YearsOfNTD

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 engagement efforts, we have helped restore tree cover in areas hit by natural disasters, guided communities in managing their urban forests, supported over 700 schoolyard greening projects and organized urban forest conferences. To date, with our community partners and sponsors, we have planted more than 83 million trees.
treecanada.ca

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