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Halton Hills is getting greener, thanks to a new $280,000 investment in the Town’s tree canopy.
Funding will be matched through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Growing Canada’s Community Canopies (GCCC) program. The grant will support the planting of more than 2,600 trees on public lands over the next two years.
“I’m very grateful that FCM’s Growing Canada’s Community Canopies funding is enhancing the Town’s tree program and supporting a project to build community around tree planting,” says Halton Hills Mayor Ann Lawlor. “Trees are beneficial in so many ways — from providing recreational opportunities to shade and cooling, to supporting biodiversity. Of course, there is also the legacy aspect – it is deeply gratifying to know that the trees we plant today will remain standing for the enjoyment of future generations.”
The Town is actively seeking input from residents about where trees are most needed. Locals can suggest neighbourhoods, parks, and streets for planting here. Residents can also get involved by planting trees on private property or volunteering at community tree planting events.
Local non-profit Trees for Halton Hills will receive $60,000 to coordinate tree planting efforts and engage volunteers in planting 1,900 trees in 2025 and 2026.
“We’re delighted to be partnering with the Town on this initiative,” adds Don Trant from Trees for Halton Hills. “A low carbon, green community known for its native tree canopy is what our group is all about. Trees have superpowers — from providing shade to keeping us cool, to protecting us from UV rays, to creating habitat, to capturing carbon from CO₂ and helping offset climate change.” He added, “Because our volunteer group organizes and plants the trees and nature does the rest, grant money goes much further in our community.”
Of the trees being planted, roughly 700 will serve as street trees and be placed in parks, along Guelph Street, around Fairy Lake, and in areas identified as having low canopy coverage.
Tree planting began this past spring and will continue throughout 2025 and 2026.
In May, previously planted trees were found destroyed – leading to an investigation.
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