National

Edmonton mayor announces funding to plant 1.5 million trees, expand urban canopy

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 24 Jul, 2023 05:09 PM

Edmonton's mayor has announced joint funding from the municipal and federal governments to support the planting of 1.5 million trees.

Amarjeet Sohi says $47.8 million is coming from the federal 2 Billion Trees program and the amount is being matched by the city.

Sohi says the money will allow Edmonton to expand its tree-planting efforts and bring it closer to its goal of being a "healthy and climate-resilient city."

Today, Mayor @AmarjeetSohiYEG, joined by Councillors @JoanneWrightYEG and @AshleyASalvador, announced funding of $47.8 million from @nrcan to plant 1.5 million trees in Edmonton in the next eight years. #yeg #yegparks pic.twitter.com/JdC9i9uImb
— City of Edmonton (@CityofEdmonton) July 24, 2023

Edmonton is planning to increase its urban forest canopy by planting about three square kilometres over the next eight years in naturalized areas, boulevards, parks and open spaces.

The city aims to have two million trees planted by 2031 as part of a broader goal of achieving 20 per cent canopy cover by 2071.

It says it will also work with Indigenous leaders, elders and knowledge keepers to ensure the planting of local species is reflective of and supportive of the traditions and cultural practices of local Indigenous Peoples and those with historic and cultural connections to the region.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Thousands of B.C. families will see an increase in government family benefit plan

The monthly benefit payment from the province goes to families with annual earnings below $106,908 for those with one child and $143,783 for a three-child family. Funding goes up this month by $250 a year for a two-parent family of four and as much as $750 for a single-parent family with two children.

Thousands of B.C. families will see an increase in government family benefit plan

Inflation rate fell to 2.8 per cent in June

The inflation rate fell to 2.8 per cent in June, but Statistics Canada is also reporting grocery prices shot up 9.1 per cent from year-ago levels. That's even more than prices rose in May.

Inflation rate fell to 2.8 per cent in June

Record wildfire season in B.C. for area burned with almost 400 fires in the province

The B.C. Wildfire Service website says 13,935 square kilometres have been burned since April 1, surpassing the previous record of 13,543 square kilometres set in 2018. But there are still months to go in this year's season and the service says there are almost 400 fires currently burning.

Record wildfire season in B.C. for area burned with almost 400 fires in the province

Municipal police chief casts doubt on effectiveness of B.C. drug decriminalization

Delta Police Chief Constable Neil Dubord says in the letter that while he agrees with "the underlying principles of decriminalization," an early evaluation shows that the policy has not led to "the desired outcome." Dubord says there were 791 overdose deaths in the province between then and May, which "closely mirrors" the 772 deaths recorded during the same period last year.

Municipal police chief casts doubt on effectiveness of B.C. drug decriminalization

Inmate dies in police custody

Correctional officials say an inmate has died while in the custody of a prison in Abbotsford, B-C. The Pacific Institution says in a statement that Douglas Gordon Martin died on July 14.

Inmate dies in police custody

Coquitlam RCMP need public's assistance locating missing man Syed Mustafa

Coquitlam RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing man, 36-year old Syed Mustafa. Syed was last seen early June camping near Twin Islands, Belcarra British Columbia. Syed’s family and Police are concerned for Syeds’s well-being.