Tree Canada boosts Canada’s urban canopy and schools’ environmental spirits on National Tree Day

September 23, 2020 – Ottawa, ON Tree Canada, along with long-time partner TELUS, commemorated National Tree Day by planting trees in schools across Canada, as part of their ongoing support of the national organization.

Through their generous support, Tree Canada will be able to plant 650 trees across the country from now until the end of October of this year – a true testament of how it takes a village to grow, plant and nuture trees for the betterment of all of our communities.

At a time when health is top of mind for Canadians, planting trees are not only a practical and economical way to fight climate change and are an easy and natural way to cool and beautify our cities, they also positively contribute to our physical and mental wellbeing – particularly in urban areas.

“This year especially we have come to rely on our urban green spaces and forests more than normal to provide the needed respite from the challenges the pandemic has thrown at us. We have become acutely aware of how important our urban forests are, and it is through our corporate partnerships that we can positively influence the health of the communities through the health of our urban forests. We are so grateful to TELUS for their continued environmental leadership and support, especially on such an important day as National Tree Day.”
– Danielle St-Aubin, CEO Tree Canada.

“At TELUS we are committed to driving positive social outcomes and helping to ensure stronger and healthier communities, while caring for the planet our children will inherit. Our corporate sustainability initiatives help ensure a more environmentally friendly future for generations to come and we are proud to continue our longstanding partnership with Tree Canada this year, planting trees at 25 schools in honour of National Tree Day. Together, we have planted over 715,000 trees from coast-to-coast and this fall our efforts will help ensure that youth across the country have access to much needed green spaces.”
– Jill Schnarr, Chief Communications Officer, TELUS

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 crucial that continued efforts are placed on increasing the canopy and resiliency of Canada’s urban forests. By bringing partners and communities together through tree planting initiatives, we work as a unified national village to become part of the solution.

Canadians are also encouraged to still register their own National Tree Day events, whether it is a small family gathering around a favorite tree in their backyard, or by sharing videos of why they love trees through #NTDAtADistance.

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 23, 2020.

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; #NTD2020; #NTDAtADistance

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.
treecanada.ca

For interviews, photos and more information:

Carol Burnup
Communications Manager
Tree Canada
613-567-5545 ext.230