Kitchener to plant over 500 trees
Posted Apr 22, 2020 08:54:40 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF KITCHENER
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The City of Kitchener is answering Earth Day Canada’s call to action on Earth Day. For the 50th anniversary of the event, the City is joining more than 60 other municipalities across Canada by committing to plant trees in 2020.
Earth Day Canada is challenging municipalities to plant 50 trees. The City of Kitchener is exceeding that expectation, committing to plant over 500 trees across the city in a fall planting.
“This commitment is part of our responsibility to residents of creating a sustainable future,” said Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “Being an environmental leader is one of the promises we made in our strategic plan. Kitchener is proud to participate in this national and global initiative during a special milestone for Earth Day Canada, and reinforce our commitment to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.”
Trees provide our community with economic, environmental and social benefits. They improve air quality, conserve biodiversity and wildlife, mitigate the effects of climate change, and contribute to the well-being of our communities.
The planting program is part of an existing corporate strategy to grow the urban forest and eliminate the current tree planting backlog by 2022.
“It’s hard to imagine a vibrant, caring and innovative city without picturing trees,” said Community and Infrastructure Services Committee Chair and ward 5 councillor Kelly Galloway-Sealock. “They are a key element of a livable city that contribute to our well-being not only now, but for generations to come.”
“Residents expect us to continue to be a trailblazer in adapting to climate change and conserving our natural resources,” said Vrbanovic. “Earth Day is a yearly reminder that preserving our planet is a collective effort. Kitchener is part of that endeavor.”
The planting program is scheduled to occur this fall. For more information of the City of Kitchener’s strategy for a sustainable urban forest, visit www.kitchener.ca/trees
For more information about Earth Day and to learn more about how you can keep your distance at home, but take action together, visit www.earthday.ca.
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