Forests Canada says its on track to plant its 50 millionth tree this year

The organization Forests Canada says it's on track to reach its goal of planting 50 million trees by the end of this year.

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty made that pledge in 2007, saying that figure would be reached by 2025. 

Forests Canada CEO Jess Kaknevicius says its efforts are in addition to trees planted after logging operations, which are legally required under the Crown Forest Sustainability Act.

"So the 50-million tree program is outside of any legally obligated area," she said.

Forests Canada's goals are to plant more trees in what it calls "settled landscapes," which include shelter belts around farmland.

"People want to contribute to wildlife habitat, people want to contribute to [fighting] climate change, and they want to leave a legacy for the next generation," Kaknevicius said.

She said Forests Canada relies on funding from different levels of government, along with donations to fund its tree-planting efforts.

Kaknevicius said she estimates that trees planted by logging companies under the Crown Forest Sustainability Act are also in the millions each year.

A tree planter's perspective

Autumn Ducharme is a first-time tree planter who helps with those efforts at a rate of pay of around 13 cents per tree.

Ducharme said she has worked at small organic farms, so the transition to tree planting in the northern Ontario bush near Sault Ste. Marie was a natural one.

"I was working for small family-run businesses and they only have so much wiggle room in their profit margin," she said.

"So yeah, I was interested in a job that had the potential of paying a little bit better."

Ducharme said that while some days can be quite cold, especially if it's raining, she loves spending her time working outside.

"I would not in a million years take a nine-to-five office job," she said. "Like no way."

She said she appreciates the trees she plants also make a difference to the surrounding landscape.

"When they're not cut for wood, they're still cleaning our air," Ducharme said.

"And it feels so good to be just outside all day and surrounded by trees and dirt and plants and little creatures."