Local conservation authority encourages people to order trees for 2025 planting

Trees and forests contribute to cleaner air and water, can provide sustainable wood products, and promote physical and mental health.

Trees remain good for the environment and for people, and as spring is not far away, Ausable Bayfield Conservation provides the opportunity for bulk-ordering trees through the Spring Tree Order Form now through the end of February.

Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) offers a wide range of trees through its spring tree planting program.

The Forestry and Land Stewardship Specialist encourages interested landowners to visit abca.ca for the spring tree order form.

“We’re happy to help with project design and help to apply for funding for eligible projects,” said Ian Jean, Forestry and Land Stewardship Specialist with ABCA.

According to ABCA funding is available in many areas to support planting trees for windbreaks, for reforestation and for naturalization.

Tens of thousands of trees each year are planted by local landowners, totaling more than one million trees in the past two decades.

“These efforts have helped tree cover to double in the last 60 years,” said Jean. Yet, forest cover in local watersheds remains quite low at only 14 per cent.

Tree planting can be done for many different reasons. This can range from field windbreaks, wildlife habitat, bordering walking trails, to retiring unproductive acres or corners of fields to create private natural areas.

These tree planting projects help protect and improve soil and water quality, which are so important to agriculture, tourism, and quality of life.

ABCA is grateful for grant program funding partners including member municipalities, along with community donors and other valued funding partners.

For those with property on which trees can be planted, consider purchasing a tree through the tree-order program. For those who do not have room on their property for trees, donating to tree planting can improve forest conditions.

Visit https://www.footprintsofforests.com/