August 3, 2022
Trees for Life receives $2.4 million from 2BT
On June 7, 2022, Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, announced over $2.4 million in funding through the 2 Billion Trees program (2BT) to Trees for Life. With this funding, Trees for Life will engage partners and collaborators on 34 different tree-planting projects. The projects will range in size, style and scope and, working in different communities and ecosystems, will plant approximately 600,000 trees in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick this tree-planting season.
“Planting trees is an important part of our plan to fight climate change, protect biodiversity and create good jobs across the country,” Wilkinson said. “Our government is actively working with partners to continue to deliver upon our commitment to plant two billion trees across Canada, and Trees for Life projects are actively contributing to this effort.”
Trees for Life is a national charity committed to mobilizing, empowering and inspiring tree-planting initiatives across Canada.
“The funding provided by the Government of Canada through the 2 Billion Trees program is so crucial to our ability to continue to grow as an organization and to expand our impact on a national level,” Trees for Life president Mark Cullen said. ”Our donors will continue to be highly motivated to provide support knowing that it is being matched by our federal government. We could not be more thankful for the wonderful opportunities the 2 Billion Trees program provides.”
Launched in 2021, the 2 Billion Trees program is part of Canada’s Natural Climate Solutions Fund. In the 2020 Fall Economic Statement, the federal government committed up to $3.16 billion over 10 years to deliver on the commitment. In 2021, Trees for Life received $2 million through the program and planted 274,000 trees across Canada.
The Canadian government says the program is on track to reach the target of two billion trees over the next decade and is designed to support organizations across Canada in planting an increasing number of trees each year. In its first year, the program signed agreements to support organizations in planting approximately 30 million trees, representing more than 50 species, at more than 500 sites across all provinces. Going forward, the Government of Canada is entering into long-term agreements to secure planting over 10 years. By 2026, the program aims to plant 250-350 million trees annually.