Urban trees play a vitally important role in a healthy environment.
Urban trees shade us from the hot sun, act as windbreaks, help moderate air temperatures, generate oxygen, absorb rainwater, and create habitat for diverse wildlife. However, Ottawa’s protective tree canopy is shrinking as forests and woodlots are being cut down for development and agriculture, and pest and fungal infestations, as well as natural disasters, have destroyed even more mature trees and large swaths of forest in our area.
At present, Ottawa’s tree canopy stands at approximately 31 percent. The ideal would be 40 percent.
Our Environment Matters Group is actively working to protect our tree canopy, with the help of the City of Ottawa’s tree-planting program, which is designed to do just that: right here in our own corner of the city.
Theresa, a new member of our club, has been actively involved in environmental issues for the past 30 years. She already has a team of 12 people in different parts of our city who are interested in helping her enhance our city parks with more trees.
Learn more about this program:
For more information or to join in the fun, please contact Theresa at publicity@cfuwkanata.ca