Tree Canada’s Operation ReLeaf Ottawa-Gatineau responds to devastation by tornadoes: Granting program enables residents to plant new trees

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 26, 2018 (Ottawa, ON) Tree Canada, Canada’s leading national tree charity, supports Ottawa-Gatineau residents to replace the trees lost from last September’s devasting tornadoes through its Operation ReLeaf Ottawa-Gatineau Tornadoes program, an ambitious greening initiative which provides funding to affected residents to re-plant trees on their property.

Applications for the grant program are now open with up to $300 in funding available for each applicant.

Residents pre-approved by Tree Canada will be quickly reimbursed for their purchase of trees. Residents can apply to the Operation ReLeaf Ottawa-Gatineau Tornadoes granting program until April 21, 2019. Tree Canada will also be offering technical advice with their partners for those wanting to know the correct way to plant and maintain urban trees.

Tree Canada is grateful for the generous support of many individuals from across Canada, as well as from FedEx, TELUS and Hydro One who immediately contributed $50,000 each to support Operation ReLeaf efforts to replace as many trees lost as possible.

In cooperation with the City of Ottawa, Ecology Ottawa, the Ville de Gatineau and le Conseil régional de l’environnement et du développement durable de l’Outaouais (CREDDO), Tree Canada is aiming to inform people on planting and maintenance techniques to allow the new trees to thrive.

To plant even more trees, Tree Canada is continuing to seek more individuals and members of the business community to provide their financial support by donating to a dedicated campaign at treecanada.ca/ottawagatineautornadoes.

By replacing the lost trees, Tree Canada hopes to restore what was taken from the landscape with new growth and hope for these affected communities.

Quotes:

“As a part of the Ottawa-Gatineau community, we understand the devastating effects that this storm has had on a public that dearly loves its trees. Throughout this process, Tree Canada will be working in those affected neighbourhoods to restore a sense of normalcy and calm that only new trees can bring.”

– Michael Rosen, President of Tree Canada

 About Tree Canada

Tree Canada is the non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of Canadians by planting and nurturing trees. 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 annual urban forest conferences. To date, with our community partners and sponsors, we have planted more than 82 million trees. Get involved or learn more about us at treecanada.ca.

About #OperationReLeaf

Tree Canada’s #OperationReLeaf programs have been helping communities recover from natural disasters and pests for more than 20 years. The first #OperationReLeaf response came to the aid of the areas touched by the 1996 floods in Saguenay, Quebec. Tree Canada is currently focused on fighting the Alberta Mountain Pine Beetle, the Emerald Ash Borer and our ongoing multi-year efforts to restore community green spaces hit by wildfires in Alberta and British Columbia.

For interviews, photos and more information:

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

Operation ReLeaf Ottawa-Gatineau Program and Grants
Justin P Létourneau
Program Manager, Tree Canada
jpletourneau@treecanada.ca
613-567-5545 ext. 225