Trees Ontario puts out call to landowners to learn how to plant trees

Local planting partners hosting free tree planting workshop

TORONTO, January 14, 2010 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Trees Ontario, along with its partners, the Ontario Forestry Association (OFA) and local planting agencies will host seven free workshops to educate local area landowners on the resources and incentives available to plant trees on their properties.

Everyone can take part in supporting tree planting in Ontario. The workshops give landowners the opportunity to learn about tree planting techniques, financial incentives like those in the Ontario Government's 50 Million Tree Program and the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP) that can reduce property taxes by up to 75 per cent, and ways to reduce their environmental footprint.

The workshop locations are:

Brockville Workshop - Wednesday, February 10th, 2010, 7:00-9:00 p.m. The Brockville Rowing Club

Dalkeith Workshop - Thursday, February 11th, 2010, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Saint-Paul Hall

Casselman Workshop - Tuesday, February 16th, 2010, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Casselview Golf & Country Club

Ilderton Workshop - Wednesday, February 17th, 2010, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Ilderton Community Centre

Goodwood Workshop - Wednesday, February 17th, 2010, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Goodwood Community Centre

Caledon Workshop - Thursday, February 18th, 2010, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Caledon Village Library

Port Hope Workshop - Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Millennium Building

Space is limited and pre-registration is appreciated.

Trees Ontario, working with its partners, is the largest, not-for-profit tree planting partnership in North America. It is committed to the re-greening of Ontario through a range of tree planting activities.

The goal of Trees Ontario is to restore the province's tree planting capacity, especially throughout southern Ontario on private lands, by providing funding and planning support for its tree planting partners. These include local Conservation Authorities, Ontario Stewardship Councils, municipal governments and community volunteer groups.

As a charitable organization, Trees Ontario relies on the financial support of individuals, organizations, foundation grants and government to support its tree planting programs and initiatives.

Last year, with its partners, Trees Ontario planted close to 3 million trees. Its goal is to support the planting of 10 million trees per year by 2015. To participate, donate and to learn more visit the Trees Ontario website at www.treesontario.ca.

The Ontario Forestry Association (OFA) is a non-profit, registered charity. It is dedicated to raising awareness and understanding of all aspects of Ontario's forests, and to develop commitment to stewardship of forest ecosystems. The OFA has been involved in public education around forestry and environmental issues since the 1940s. Over the years they have been involved in major initiatives involving restoration, commemoration and the management of our forests and natural environment. To this day, they continue to increase public education and knowledge of forestry and environmental issues. Visit the OFA website at www.oforest.on.ca.

50 Million Tree Program

In August 2007, the Ontario government introduced a program to fund the planting of 50 million trees across the province by 2020, as part of its commitment to help fight climate change and green the province.

The 50 Million Tree Program is Ontario's commitment to the United Nations Billion Tree Campaign. The program is also the most ambitious program of its kind in North America and the largest goal of any jurisdiction, anywhere.

The 50 Million Tree Program can significantly cut landowners' costs of large-scale tree planting and boost the number of trees planted.