Enbridge Gas Distribution Joins the Green Leaf Challenge

Tree planting events in four communities across Ontario part of initiative to plant and count three million trees in 2017

TORONTO, May 18, 2017 /CNW/ - Forests Ontario welcomes Enbridge Gas Distribution as a major supporter of Ontario's Green Leaf Challenge. The Green Leaf Challenge is an initiative launched in partnership by Forests Ontario and the Government of Ontario in celebration of Ontario150. In 2017, Ontarians are invited to celebrate this milestone year by planting and counting three million trees.

Throughout the months of April and May, Enbridge supported and participated in four community tree planting events in Ajax, Niagara Falls, Mount Albert, and Pelham. Events brought together hundreds of volunteers to plant more than 1,000 trees in public spaces.

These trees will count towards the Green Leaf Challenge's ultimate goal of three million trees. "Enbridge has supported Forests Ontario's tree planting programs for several years," says Malini Giridhar, vice president of market development and public affairs at Enbridge Gas Distribution. "Investments in healthy natural ecosystems help us reduce our carbon footprint and complement energy conservation and innovative technologies in ensuring a better future for our children."

"The Green Leaf Challenge was launched to invite all Ontarians to take part in securing a future of healthy ecosystems for future generations," says Rob Keen, CEO of Forests Ontario. "The involvement of Enbridge in this initiative not only brings us closer to our goal of planting and counting three million trees, but also brings people together to make their communities greener."

Plantings were led by Forests Ontario's planting partners in each region, who carried out pre-planting site assessments and selected appropriate species for meeting ecological objectives such as enhanced wildlife habitat, naturalization, and increased tree canopy.

The Green Leaf Challenge will have a significant impact on Ontario's air quality by adding new forest cover that will remove approximately 6.6 million tonnes of carbon from our atmosphere by 2050. Ontarians can participate by visiting greenleafchallenge.ca and adding trees they plant across the province in 2017 to the online tree counter.

Forests Ontario thanks Enbridge Gas Distribution for its support of the Green Leaf Challenge and helping foster a greener and healthier future for Ontario. Enbridge has also supported Forests Ontario's national planting program Forest Recovery Canada.

About Forests Ontario
Forests Ontario is the voice for our forests. Working to promote a future of healthy forests sustaining healthy people, Forests Ontario is committed to the re-greening of Ontario through tree planting efforts on rural lands and in urban areas, as well as the renewal and stewardship of Ontario's forests through restoration, education and awareness. Visit www.forestsontario.ca or follow us @Forests_Ontario.

About Enbridge Gas Distribution
Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. has a more than 165-year history and is Canada's largest natural gas distribution company. It is owned by Enbridge Inc., a Canadian-based leader in energy transportation and distribution, and has ranked on the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations index for the past eight years. Enbridge Gas Distribution and its affiliates distribute natural gas to over three million customers in Ontario, Quebec, New York State and New Brunswick. For more information: visit www.enbridgegas.com, or on Twitter and Instagram @EnbridgeGas.

SOURCE Forests Ontario