Our action: How we will get there together
Our commitment to two billion trees
Launched in 2021, the 2 Billion Trees program (2BT) continues to build positive and collaborative relationships with provincial and territorial governments, non-governmental organizations, municipalities, Indigenous governments and organizations, for-profit companies, and industry members across the country to deliver long-term benefits for all Canadians including:
- restored biodiversity and habitats
- carbon capture and storage
- more forest cover
- better human health
Getting from seeds to trees takes years. Our approach: establish long-term agreements to ensure project partners have the certainty they need to complete their work and create long-term benefits for Canadians.
On this page
Success across Canada
Over the past year, we have nearly tripled the number of trees that will be planted under agreements signed or in negotiation. Between March 2023 and September 2024, we have gone from 260 million trees committed to 716 million, with over 20%Footnote 1 already planted.
Key accomplishments:
2BT projects have planted 250 different tree species to support a climate-resilient future
92% of 2BT tree planting projects feature a mix of 2 or more species to support biodiversity.
20% of all 2BT projects are Indigenous led, highlighting the vital role of Indigenous Peoples in advancing nature-based climate solutions.
Learn more about the 2BT funding recipients here.
The 2BT program provides funding through 5 streams to support the different types of applicant organizations that want to plant trees:
1. The Urban Lands stream
For municipalities, school boards, Indigenous communities, and others.
Trees planted in urban and suburban areas cool and beautify city centres. They provide flood protection, they support physical and mental well-being, and they help Canadians connect with nature.
The Urban Lands stream has met its tree planting target and has fully allocated its funding to organizations that are creating bigger and better urban forests and green spaces across the country.
Additional applicants interested in planting trees in and around urban and suburban communities may be eligible for funding through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative (see below for more information).
Since 2021, the 2BT Urban lands stream has helped plant trees in over 100 communities across Canada.
Project highlights
Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Growing Canada’s Community Canopies Initiative
- Location: Across Canada
- Project Timeline: 2024 to 2031
- Objective: To support tree planting and capacity building for communities of all sizes. Through this project, at least 1.2 million new trees will be planted in approximately 300 communities by 2031, generating more than 2,000 jobs every year in municipalities across Canada.
2. The Federal Lands stream
For projects with other federal government departments on federal lands.
Only 4% of lands in the provinces are owned by the federal government, leading to significantly fewer places that are suitable for tree planting, compared with provincial and private landowners. The federal land that is available for tree planting includes places like defence bases where members of the Canadian forces and their families live and train, and national parks and heritage places where Canadians can connect with the vast natural beauty of their country.
The Federal Lands stream has met its tree planting target and has fully allocated its funding to various federal departments and agencies.
Project highlights
Canadian Forces Housing Agency
- Location: Across Canada
- Project Timeline: 2022 to 2031
- Objective: To plant 14, 450 trees to increase the urban forest in private military quarters. This project will seek to achieve human well-being co-benefits for occupants within the various housing sites by providing shade, improving aesthetics, reducing soil erosion, fostering a sense of connection with nature and providing a windbreak for the housing units within each site.
3. The Indigenous Funding stream
Supports projects led by Indigenous governments, organizations, and communities.
The 2BT program recognizes the diversity of Indigenous cultures and allocated $500 million to support projects led by First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and unaffiliated or cross-distinction groups.
The Indigenous Funding stream is 46% of the way towards its targetFootnote 2.
Please contact us for more information on the Indigenous Funding stream.
Project highlights
Nekoté Limited Partnership
- Location: Northern Manitoba
- Project Timeline: 2022 to 2031
- Objective: To plant 20.8 million trees to restore boreal forest lands affected by pest infestation and wildfire that will improve forest health and biodiversity.
4. The Private Lands stream
For third-party organizations, including for-profit and non-profit organizations, local conservation authorities, and working with private landowners.
The Private Lands stream is 42% of the way towards its targetFootnote 3.
Project highlights
Forests Ontario
- Location: Across Ontario
- Project Timeline: 2024 to 2031
- Objective: To plant 31 million trees across Ontario to contribute to habitat restoration (including species at risk habitat), and provide the many social, cultural, environmental, and economic benefits that trees and forests offer.
5. The Provinces/Territories stream
For tree planting on public lands and for habitat restoration and conservation of species at risk.
Provinces and territories manage 90% of forested land in Canada and govern tree planting within their jurisdictions.
The program has now signed agreements with 9 provinces and territories, demonstrating our joint commitment to creating long-lasting benefits from tree planting projects. These projects support wildland fire recovery, restore habitats for species at risk, and ensure healthy and resilient forests in a changing climate.
The Provinces/Territories stream is 30% of the way towards its targetFootnote 4.
Project highlights
Government of New Brunswick
- Location: Across New Brunswick
- Project Timeline: 2023 to 2031
- Objective: To leverage New Brunswick’s existing forest management framework to plant approximately 52.9 million trees on public lands to increase resiliency to climate change, which will help regulate extreme weather events, and sequester emissions.
Ensuring Long-Term Benefits
Just like in gardening, proper preparation is the key to success when planting new trees. The 2BT program collaborates with partners to understand how they plan to prepare sites, choose tree species, and monitor trees after planting them. When we make sure the job is done well, nature can thrive, and the long-term health and sustainability of our forests can be maintained.
The program visits sites regularly and monitors their progress. We have also developed a Long-Term Monitoring Plan that uses site information collected from partners every year. Natural Resources Canada uses science and technology to keep monitoring the trees after they are planted, including once the program ends.
Program timeline
2019
Milestones
- October: Announced program and goals
Engagements
- November: Outlined program details and started stakeholder engagement
2020
Milestones
- Designed program and established five funding streams over the course of the year
Engagements
- Spring to Summer: Refined program design and continued stakeholder engagement into summer
- Presented findings to stakeholders
- Fall: Continued stakeholder engagement to finalize program design and discuss reporting requirements
Indigenous engagement and co-development
- Spring: Engaged through bilateral discussions, in-person events, and virtual sessions
2021
Milestones
- February: Launched the program, including the first call for proposals (CFP), and a request for information (RFI)
- Completed first planting season
- December: Launched the second CFP
Engagements
- Spring: Engaged the Nature-Based Climate Solutions (NBCS) Advisory Committee
- Ongoing collaboration with provinces and territories
- Ongoing webinars, public outreach and program adjustments
Indigenous engagement and co-development
- October: Announced commitment to co-develop an inclusive governance framework
2022
Milestones
- December: Launched ongoing CFP using the 2BT portal
Engagements
- Engaged with nurseries
- Ongoing collaboration with provinces and territories
- Ongoing webinars, public outreach and program adjustments
Indigenous engagement and co-development
- Spring: Phase 1 - Socialization and engagement with Indigenous groups
- Fall: Phase 2 - Co-development and collaboration with Indigenous groups
2023
Milestones
- Provided six intake periods to submit applications through the Ongoing CFP
- October: Opened applications under the Capacity Building Stream
Engagements
- Continued collaboration with provinces and territories
- Conducted webinars, public outreach and program adjustments
Indigenous engagement and co-development
- August: Announced distinctions-based funding for the $500M Indigenous Funding Stream
- October: Opened applications under the distinctions-based Indigenous Funding Stream
2024
Milestones
- Providing three intakes for the Ongoing CFP
Engagements
- 2BT staff members visit project sites
Ongoing Indigenous engagement
- Offering three intakes through the IFS ongoing CFP
- Continuing to meet with Indigenous governments and organizations about the funding opportunities and their project ideas
- Continuously adapting processes to ensure they work well for everyone
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