Credit Valley Conservation has received $525,710 in federal funding to plant more than 13,000 native trees and shrubs across the Credit River watershed, which drains through Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon on its way to Lake Ontario.

The money flows through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' Green Municipal Fund and its Growing Canada's Community Canopies initiative, which is funded by the Government of Canada. Over three years, CVC plans to plant 13,440 native trees and shrubs in parks, greenspaces, riverbanks and natural areas across six municipalities.

According to a Credit Valley Conservation news release, the conservation authority is working with municipal partners and thousands of community volunteers to expand the urban tree canopy, strengthen climate resilience and connect more residents with nature.

Expanding tree canopy is one of the important ways we can strengthen the health and resilience of our watershed. Through this investment, we are working with our municipal partners and community members to plant native trees and shrubs where they can make a lasting difference – improving habitat, supporting healthier waterways, providing shade and helping communities adapt to a changing climate. Just as importantly, this initiative creates opportunities for residents to take an active role in caring for the natural spaces that make our communities healthier and more resilient.

Jesse De Jager, Director of Parks, Lands and Community Engagement at CVC, said in the release that local students, families and businesses will help with the plantings.

Sites chosen for ecological value

Planting locations are being selected based on ecological importance, existing canopy cover and their potential to strengthen the region's natural heritage system. Priority areas were identified through municipal urban forestry strategies and CVC's Watershed Plan.

The goal is to build healthy urban forests and climate-resilient neighbourhoods. The funding also lets CVC and its partners expand the size and number of community planting events, giving more residents hands-on chances to take part in local environmental work.

"FCM is proud to support Credit Valley Conservation's transformative tree-planting project," FCM President Tim Tierney said in the release. "Through the Growing Canada's Community Canopies initiative and with the support of the Government of Canada, we're helping municipalities of every size get the right trees in the ground in the right places, creating cooler streets, cleaner air, and healthier neighbourhoods for decades to come."

Federal Secretary of State (Nature) Nathalie Provost also weighed in, saying trees make communities better places to live by providing shade, improving green spaces and bringing people together outdoors. "The trees being planted will provide greater shade and comfort, and contribute to a healthier, more resilient and sustainable community," she said.

Part of a national canopy push

Growing Canada's Community Canopies, announced in May 2024, is a $291-million initiative that aims to support the planting of at least 1.2 million new trees across Canada by the end of March 2031. It provides funding, resources and coaching to communities, with capacity building enabled through a partnership with Tree Canada.

The Green Municipal Fund itself has been operating since 2000. According to the release, it has helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3.02 million tonnes, funded nearly 60,000 person-years of employment and contributed $5.6 billion to the national GDP through more than 2,850 approved projects. It manages roughly $2.4 billion in federally funded programs.

CVC was established by the Ontario government in 1954 to protect, restore and enhance the natural environment of the Credit River watershed — the area of land where all rainfall, snowmelt and runoff drains into the Credit River. It is a member of Conservation Ontario.

Residents who want to help plant trees can find upcoming community planting events at cvc.ca/events.