New Tree Planting Program Announced!
Natural Resources Canada in partnership with the Trees Ontario Foundation will create approximately 1,200 hectares of demonstration plantations on private lands across Ontario. These new forests will assist Canada in meeting their greenhouse gas reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol. This new planting program (Forest 20/20) Plantation Demonstration and Assessment Initiative (PDA) will offer financial incentives and technical assistance to landowners for the establishment of fast growing plantations (i.e. Norway spruce, silver maple, white pine, hybrid poplar, red pine, red oak) on their properties.
Forest 2020 Private Land Tree Planting – August 2004 Update
The Forest 2020 Plantation Demonstration and Assessment Initiative (PDA) was launched this spring with tree planting on 47.5 ha of private property in Renfrew County, the Simcoe Lake Conservation Authority watershed and near Cornwall.
The Forest 2020 PDA target for Ontario is to plant a total of 1,200 hectares for the purpose of addressing Canada’s commitments under the Kyoto Protocol provisions for reducing global warming. The remainder of the Forest 2020 PDA Initiative sites will be planted in spring 2005. The program provides funding assistance for private land tree planting.
Local Program Delivery Agencies (LPDAs) are identified within regions across Ontario to deliver Forest 2020. The delivery agencies will be in charge of site selection, site preparation, stock ordering, planting, and tending. LPDAs include conservation authorities, forest industry and local forestry consultants.
Applications have been received for spring 2005 planting. The LPDAs, Trees Ontario Foundation and Natural Resources Canada are in the process of selecting sites that will best meet the goals of Forest 2020.
Interested landowners should contact Trees Ontario as soon as possible because there is room for additional properties. To learn more about Forest 2020 and the Trees Ontario Foundation contact: James Fieldhouse, Trees Ontario Foundation, 1-800-387-0790, e-mail
<jamesf@oforest.on.ca>, or visit their Web site at
<www.treesontario.on.ca>.
Who can participate?
Landowners who have available a minimum of 2 hectares of non-forested (since 1990) lands. Agree to maintain and manage the trees for a minimum of 15 years and that any accumulated ‘carbon credits’ associated with the plantation will be applied towards reducing Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions under Kyoto.
Acceptance into the program will depend on the property’s attributes, availability of suitable seedlings for the site, and the willingness of the landowner to meet the program conditions. Landowners must also contribute $550 per hectare of land to be planted.
What are the benefits and incentives?
The program offers financial incentives and technical support to landowners in the establishment of fast growing hardwood and/or conifer plantations. I.e. Seedlings, site preparation, planting, and maintenance.
Need more information?
To obtain an application, or for more information, you can contact Trees Ontario (c/o Ontario Forestry Association) by calling 1-800-387-0790 or visit their Web site at
<www.treesontario.on.ca>.
Please note - deadline for applications is May 31, 2004.
