Oakville on track of 40 per cent tree canopy thanks to residents, groups, corporations

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Published September 13, 2022 at 4:56 pm

Oakville Mayor Rob Burton and a group of dedicated volunteers were out Tuesday planting trees at Millstone Park. TOWN OF OAKVILLE PHOTO

Thanks to a group effort, Oakville is greener today.

Mayor Rob Burton says the town is on track to reaching its goal of a 40 per cent tree canopy and after another round of tree planting on Tuesday (Sept. 13) he took the time to thank a group of local residents, Siemens Canada, Conservation Halton and non-profit charity Tree Canada for their efforts.

“That fits our vision of being the greenest and most livable community,” said the mayor.

Burton and a group of dedicated volunteers were out planting trees at Millstone Park and told a story how a local corporation has stepped up to help out in a big way.

“About 12 years ago I was lucky, I think, to be able to attract Siemens to put their national headquarters in Oakville and I would have been proud and happy with just that, but then Siemens turned out to be the No. 1 corporation in Oakville for volunteering and tree planting,” said the mayor. “Nobody else comes close to what you do.

“This fits our vision of being the greenest town in Canada.”

When Oakville started the tree canopy initiative it was just under 30 per cent. Burton said the goal is to move Oakville’s tree canopy from just over 30 per cent now all the way to the internationally recognized standard of urban forest at 40 per cent.

“Our goal is to get there by 2057, which is the 200th anniversary of Oakville,” said Burton. “I am so thrilled by our progress. We literally now plant tens of thousands of trees every year and over the time ahead we’re going to plant about a million trees, and you are really making a difference.

“I thank each and everyone of you for it.”

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