Tree Canada celebrates 25th anniversary on National Tree Day

OTTAWA, Sept. 26, 2017 /CNW/ - Tree Canada, the nation's leading national tree planting charity, is celebrating its 25^th anniversary on National Tree Day this September 27^th by planting its 82 millionth tree in Canada.

Over the past twenty years, Tree Canada has engaged communities, governments, corporations and individuals in the pursuit of a greener and healthier living environment, and provides Canadians with education, technical expertise, and resources to plant and care for urban and rural trees. In the midst of its most impactful year to date, in 2017, Tree Canada announced a more than $1 million investment to restore the forests destroyed by the devastating Fort McMurray wildfires last year.

As the largest urban forest organization in the country, Tree Canada also celebrated the 150th anniversary of Confederation with 150 tree-planting initiatives in communities in every province and territory across the country.

Tree Canada has been a driving force behind the establishment of a National Tree Day in Canada. It falls on the third week of September, which is recognized as National Forest Week across the country. Until October 1st, Canadians can take The National Tree Day Challenge at nationaltreeday.ca for their chance to win a trip to Banff, Alberta.

On National Tree Day, Tree Canada will mark its 25th anniversary with a ceremonial tree planting near the Bytown Museum at 1 Canal Lane, just below Parliament Hill. The event gets under way at 12:15 p.m. and will feature special guests including The Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of Natural Resources, The Honourable Joyce Murray, MP Vancouver Quadra and Ottawa City Councillor Catherine McKenney.

Quotes:
"Throughout Canada's history, our trees and forests have helped to define us as a nation and shape us as a people. On this day ? National Tree Day ? I would like to commend Tree Canada for the remarkable work they have done for 25 years to promote our nation's forests."

-Jim Carr, Minister of Natural Resources Canada

"Growing in size every year, National Tree Day helps remind Canadians of the importance of trees ? how they beautify our communities, naturally cool our cities in the summer, and combat climate change, and help improve human health," said Michael Rosen, President of Tree Canada. "As Tree Canada celebrates our 25th year of growing greener, healthier places for Canadians to live, we look forward to 25 more years of playing a leading role in the preservation of Canada's urban forest across the country."   

-Michael Rosen, President of Tree Canada

About Tree Canada:
Tree Canada is a non-profit charity dedicated to improving the lives of Canadians by planting and nurturing trees. Since 1992, we've planted more than 80 million trees, greened more than 600 schoolyards, helped restore places hit by natural disasters and brought together urban forestry experts greening cities all across Canada. Get involved or learn more about us at treecanada.ca.

SOURCE Tree Canada