Tree cover in Chatham-Kent (CK) is expected to take a big step in the future if Council approves a matching grant.
CK Administration said it has secured a $728,240 grant from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) that needs matching municipal funds to grow the tree canopy across the municipality.
CK staff noted it will seek retroactive approval from Council on Monday evening to commit $728,250 in matching funds towards the future tree planting, since the FCM grant has already been signed due to program timelines.
CK Council approved a policy in 2024 to achieve 40 per cent canopy cover on public land in urban areas by 2050.
The municipality said it plans to plant a total of 948 new trees in Blenheim, Bothwell, Chatham, Dresden, Mitchell’s Bay, Thamesville, Tilbury, Wallaceburg, and Wheatley.
According to a staff report, 725 trees will be planted along streets in recently developed residential neighbourhoods.
"These trees will be installed within municipal rights-of-way and become municipal assets. This activity will take place in the communities of Chatham, Dresden, Pain Court, and Tilbury. Most of these street trees are in locations where substantial build-out of new residential areas has occurred since 2019," staff wrote.
The municipality also plans to plant 223 mature, larger-caliper shade trees in various urban municipal parks.
"These trees will be strategically located to increase shade for park users, improve overall park comfort and environmental function. This activity will take place in the communities of Blenheim, Bothwell, Chatham, Dresden, Mitchell’s Bay, Thamesville, Tilbury, Wallaceburg, and Wheatley," noted staff.
The trees will be planted through 2026-27 if the grant matching is approved.
The initiative is part of Canada’s efforts to plant two billion trees by 2031.
The program provides funding for up to 50 per cent of eligible costs, with a maximum of $10 million per community over the lifetime of the initiative.
Chatham-Kent is eligible to apply for an additional $9.27 million through future grant applications.
