BRAMPTON, ON (February 19, 2020) – Today, Brampton City Council endorsed the planting of 50,000 new trees across the city every year, as part of the One Million Trees Program. This is another big step towards tackling the threat of climate change.

In 2019, Council voted unanimously to declare a climate emergency, while aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated in the city by 80 per cent by 2050.

Over the last five years, the City and its partners – including conservation authorities, the Region of Peel, school boards and the development industry – have planted, on average, 43,000 trees each year in Brampton. With an increase of at least 7,000 trees planted annually, the City is one step closer to fulfilling the Brampton 2040 Vision and reaching a target of one million trees by 2040.                                                          

Trees play an important role in mitigating and adapting to climate change, growing the urban forest and making spaces more beautiful, and supporting public health. The One Million Trees Program will plant more trees, particularly along roads, public parks, and other City-owned lands in existing residential neighbourhoods and commercial/industrial lands, to enhance the green canopy and foster the delivery of ecosystem services.

The City is committed to sustainability and these efforts contribute to building a Green City, a Term of Council priority.

Quick facts:

• Brampton currently has approximately 3.6 million trees, which accounts for 18 per cent of total land cover.
• The One Million Trees Program focuses on getting new trees in the ground. To achieve one million trees by 2040, an additional 7,000 trees will need to be planted annually.
• Directions pertaining to the inventorying, operations, maintenance, and monitoring of the urban forest will be addressed in the City’s Urban Forest Management Plan, which is currently being developed.

Quotes

“This is yet another exciting step towards making Brampton a Green City and the City doing its part to address the challenge of climate change. As a Member of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, I look forward to seeing this bold and challenging strategy being implemented this year and even more environment-friendly initiatives in the coming years.”
– Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton

“Our goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Brampton by 80 per cent by 2050 is a challenging one, but one we can achieve together with our community partners and initiatives such as the One Million Trees Program.”
- Paul Vicente, Regional Councillor Wards 1&5 and Chair, Public Works and Engineering, City of Brampton

“Brampton has some amazing green spaces and the One Million Trees Program is an exciting initiative that through partnerships, will help our dedicated staff to continue to advance Council’s priority of being a Green City and create even more tree cover for our residents to enjoy.”
– David Barrick, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Brampton

As one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada, Brampton is home to 650,000 people and 70,000 businesses. People are at the heart of everything we do. We are energized by our diverse communities, we attract investment, and we are embarking on a journey to lead technological and environmental innovation. We partner for progress to build a healthy city that is safe, sustainable and successful. Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Learn more at www.brampton.ca.

MEDIA CONTACT
Megan Ball
Media Coordinator, City of Brampton
905.874.2143 | megan.ball@brampton.ca