Canada Funding the Planting of 300,000 Trees on Prince Edward Island

A plan to invest nearly $3 million (CAD) to plant trees that will permanently expand the forest cover in Prince Edward Island (PEI) and help areas damaged by Hurricane Fiona to recover was announced on Friday (8-25-23) by Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and the PEI Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Action. The Government of Canada is providing $1.7 million dollars under the Two Billion Tree Program (2BT) with the remainder being provided by the Government of PEI.

Work in PEI will include expanding the J. Frank Gaudet Nursery, partnering with the PEI Watershed Alliance and local municipalities, working with the agricultural community, private sector, and landowners on tree planting, and replanting of hurricane-damaged forests where needed.

By expanding both urban and rural forests through the planting of approximately 300,000 trees, PEI residents will benefit from increased shade, expanded habitats for local wildlife, and improved air quality. These forests will also provide residents with additional space to enjoy outdoor recreation activities while also increasing PEI’s resilience to climate change.