The Town of Collingwood is pleased to announce it has received two grants totalling $283,200 to support the preservation, protection, and expansion of the community's urban forest.
These projects are made possible through a grant funded by the Government of Canada through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative. Announced in May 2024, GCCC will support the planting of at least 1.2 million new trees across Canada by the end of March 2031 while offering funding, resources and coaching to communities.
The Town received $100,000 under the Retaining Tree Canopy stream of the grant for the Town’s Updated By-law and Policy project, which will modernize the Town's urban forestry by-law and policies to strengthen tree preservation and management on both public and private lands while supporting responsible growth.
An additional $183,200 has been awarded under the Restoring Urban Tree Canopies stream. This initiative will advance the Town's urban forest goals through permanent and incremental tree planting in and around Sixth Street, helping to replace and expand tree canopy coverage for current and future generations.
"Trees are one of our community's most valuable natural assets," said Mayor Yvonne Hamlin. "These grants will help us protect existing tree canopy while investing in new plantings that enhance neighbourhoods, improve environmental resilience, and contribute to a healthier, more beautiful Collingwood. We are grateful for this federal support as we continue to grow sustainably and strengthen our urban forest."
“FCM is proud to support the Town of Collingwood’s transformative tree-planting project,” said Tim Tierney, FCM President. “Through the Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative and with the support of the Government of Canada, we’re helping municipalities of every size get the right trees in the ground in the right places, creating cooler streets, cleaner air, and healthier neighbourhoods for decades to come.”
“Whether they are providing shade on a hot summer day, improving local green spaces, or bringing people together outdoors, trees make our communities better places to live,” said Secretary of State (Nature), the Honourable Nathalie Provost. “Together, we are helping communities expand their green spaces, providing lasting environmental and community benefits. The trees being planted will provide greater shade and comfort, and contribute to a healthier, more resilient and sustainable community.”
Urban forests provide a wide range of environmental, social, and economic benefits, including cleaner air, shade, wildlife habitat, stormwater management, and enhanced community well-being.
The Town will share updates as work progresses. Residents are encouraged to learn more about the Urban Forest Management Plan, its achievements to date, and future priorities for protecting and enhancing the community's tree canopy: https://www.collingwood.ca/trees-natural-areas.
About FCM’s Green Municipal Fund
FCM’s Green Municipal Fund (GMF) is a globally unique organization that leverages investments from the Government of Canada to provide funding and education to municipalities, helping them both reach net-zero and build resilient communities, while also delivering economic and social benefits such as jobs, housing and infrastructure. Since inception in 2000, it has helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3.02 million tonnes, funded nearly 60,000 person-years of employment and contributed $5.6 billion to the national GDP via the more than 2,850 approved projects. GMF manages approximately $2.4 billion in programs funded by the Government of Canada.
The Green Municipal Fund’s Growing Canada’s Community Canopies is a $291M initiative, ending in 2031, funded by the Government of Canada and delivered by the FCM. Capacity building is enabled through a partnership with Tree Canada.