Youth are leading the way forward and reducing the effects of climate change by planting trees in the expanded Trees for Tomorrow initiative. This announcement was made by Premier Greg Selinger.
“A key part of our strategy to mitigate climate change is focusing on youth engagement and community involvement,” said Premier Selinger. “At the heart of the expanded Trees for Tomorrow initiative we will concentrate on engaging municipalities, Indigenous communities and schools to help us build and support urban forests throughout the province.”
To support the goals of Manitoba’s Climate Change and Green Economy Action Plan, the premier noted this initiative will be extended for another five years with a target to plant more than two million trees by 2020. The program will include:
- distributing seedlings to the public at no charge for private plantings,
- planting seedlings on public land to establish community forests, and
- providing school planting and education programs.
Tree seedlings planted through the program will be grown at the provincial Pineland Forest Nursery.
Since 2008, more than six million new trees have been planted under Trees for Tomorrow. Together with the new target of two million more trees, the premier noted it should result in about a one-million-tonne reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions by 2050, or the equivalent of taking almost 219,000 cars off the road for one year.
“We are very pleased that the young minds in our community are active participants in such a positive initiative,” said Mayor Bruce Henley, West St. Paul. “It’s great to see our future leaders learning such a valuable lesson about the impact and lasting effect that planting trees will have for our community.”
The premier commended the students from West St. Paul School, who planted trees at their school this fall and learned about the importance of urban forests and tree care.
“We would like to thank the province for providing almost 100 trees, as well as having staff come out to help our students with the planting and teaching them about the importance of that effort,” said Bob McIntosh, principal, West St. Paul School. “This was a great experience for the students and it will leave a lasting legacy for our community.”
The premier noted urban forests help moderate local climates by slowing wind and filtering air and water, providing wildlife habitat and offering recreational spaces for Manitobans. Shade trees help reduce heating and cooling costs for homes and businesses, and in urban environments, trees can also reduce pollution levels.
