As part of the federal 2 billion trees program Manitoba has committed to planting one million trees annually for the next nine years.

The multi-year agreement will see the federal and provincial governments each contribute $8.85 million to the initiative. Seedlings will be planted on forest lands that have been affected by wildfires and other natural disturbance events, and large saplings will be planted annually in rural, urban and Indigenous communities.

“Manitobans are proud of our provincial forests and our urban canopies. Our trees capture and store carbon pollution while providing us with an abundance of clean air and habitat space for wildlife. This investment to plant one million trees annually in Manitoba will fight climate change while strengthening our province’s precious green spaces for generations to come,” said Terry Duguid, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South and parliamentary secretary to the minister of environment and climate change.

It is estimated that the trees planted as part of the Manitoba program will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 52,473 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2050. That is equal to removing more than 16,000 vehicles from the road.

“Manitoba’s provincial forests along with our urban tree canopies, including here in Winnipeg, are critical to combating climate change. Our government is proud to partner with the Government of Canada on the 2 Billion Trees initiative. By planting trees, we are helping restore nature, enhancing precious forest ecosystems and cleaning our air,” said Manitoba Environment and Climate Minister Kevin Klein.

Since 2018 Manitoba has planted 8.6 million trees across the province.