Northwest Territories Completes One of Its Largest Tree Planting Projects

On Monday, the Northwest Territories (NWT) announced the completion of one of the territory’s largest tree planting projects on public lands, restoring wildfire-affected forests near Sambaa Deh Falls. The work was completed under the 2 Billion Trees Program as part of a six-year, CA$36 million funding agreement with Natural Resources Canada.

In July, crews working with Jean Marie River First Nation and Windfirm Resources Inc. planted 1,504,030 plugs, bringing the project total to 3,365,613 native trees and shrubs across 403 hectares (996 acres). Combined with the 2025 Kakisa project, 3.77 million trees have been planted, reaching about 47% of NWT’s commitment to plant 8 million trees by 2031.

Valued at about CA$3.9 million (US$2.7 million), the project supported local employment, with Jean Marie River First Nation providing project management, equipment, and camp support services and creating 18 direct jobs for its members. Nearly 100 tree planters were employed overall. Despite the evacuation of Fort Simpson, which required support services to be relocated to Hay River on short notice, the project was completed on schedule.

Commenting on the project, NWT Minister of Environment and Climate Change Jay Macdonald said:

“Restoring forests is a long-term investment in the health and resilience of our environment. After several years in a row of significant wildfire seasons, projects like this help accelerate natural recovery, support biodiversity, and strengthen the environmental foundations that northern communities and wildlife depend on. This project aligns with our commitment to respond to and mitigate the impacts of climate change, addressing the impacts of climate-driven events and sustaining an environment that provides for future generations.”