Ontario 2023 – Healthy Forests Restoration Program

PROJECT REPORT

ONTARIO 2023 –HEALTHY FORESTS RESTORATION PROGRAM

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

Dear friend,

Thanks to your support, a total of 2,230,739 trees were planted to restore 1,060 hectares of land in Ontario.

Planting trees in areas that have been degraded or deforested helps the environment by accelerating and assuring the re-establishment of healthy forests. Through reforestation, the canopy is restored, ecosystems are made whole, and biodiversity can thrive.

None of this would be possible without you. On behalf of everyone at One Tree Planted, thank you!

What follows is a report outlining the project you supported in Ontario. I hope you enjoy reading it and truly feel the impact you have made.

OVERVIEW

The Ontario 2023 – Healthy Forests Restoration Program aimed to augment forest coverage throughout Ontario, thereby enhancing wildlife habitats, expanding recreational possibilities, increasing land value, and fostering sustainable approaches to mitigating climate change within local communities. By prioritizing forest restoration, the initiative sought to yield multifaceted benefits for both the environmentandcommunity.

TREE SPECIES PLANTED

Forty-two native tree species were planted across 1,058 planting sites, spanning 2,619 total acres across Ontario, Canada, representing a concerted effort to restoreandenhancevitalforestecosystemsacrosstheprovince.

AmongtheplantingtechniquesemployedduringthisprojectwastheinnovativePit & Mound style. This approach involved the creation of inundated pockets bordered by exposed soil, fostering diverse microhabitats conducive to the establishment of a resilient forest ecosystem. Salvaged material sourced from the region's hazard tree removal program was strategically distributed across the site, enriching the soil with "down woody debris" that will gradually decompose, providing essential nutrientsandhabitatforwildlife.

The 42 native tree species were carefully selected to thrive in the diverse landscapes of Ontario. Of particular significance is the prevalence of eastern white pine and white spruce among the species planted, reflecting their suitability and resilience within Ontario's ecological context. These species, renowned for their adaptability and ecological value, form the cornerstone of this reforestation effort, and will contribute to the establishment of healthy and biodiverse forest communitiesacrosstheregion.

Through meticulous species selection and innovative planting techniques, this reforestation project strives to increase forest cover while engaging communities, boosting land value, creating opportunities for recreation, and promoting the longtermsustainabilityofOntario'sforestsforgenerationstocome.

TOP SPECIES PLANTED:

Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) - 625,843

White Spruce (Picea glauca) - 333,603

Norway Spruce (Picea abies) - 231,231

Red Pine (Pinus resinosa) - 178,971

Eastern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) - 153,418

Black Spruce (Picea mariana) - 132,862

TREE SPECIES COMPLETE LIST

Aspen, Trembling (Populus tremuloides)

Basswood, American (Tilia americana)

Birch, White (Betula papyrifera)

Birch, Yellow (Betula alleghaniensis)

Cedar, Eastern Red (Juniperus virginiana)

Cedar, Eastern White (Thuja occidentalis)

Cedar, Western Red (Thuja plicata)

Cherry, Black (Prunus serotina)

Coffee Tree, Kentucky (Gymnocladus dioica)

Cottonwood, Eastern (Populus deltoides)

Fir, Balsam (Abies balsamea)

Fir, Douglas (Pseudotsuga menziesii)

Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)

Hemlock, Eastern (Tsuga canadensis)

Hickory, Bitternut (Carya cordiformis)

Hickory, Shagbark (Carya ovata)

Larch European (Larix decidua)

Locust, Honey (Gleditsia triacanthos)

Maple, Black (Acer nigra)

Maple, Freeman (Acer x freemanii)

Maple, Red (Acer rubrum)

Maple, Silver (Acer saccharinum)

Maple, Sugar (Acer saccharum)

Oak, Black (Quercus velutina)

Oak, Bur (Quercus macrocarpa)

Oak, Pin (Quercus palustris)

Oak, Red (Quercus rubra)

Pine, Eastern White (Pinus strobus)

Pine, Jack (Pinus banksiana)

Pine, Red (Pinus resinosa)

Pine, Western White (Pinus monticola)

Poplar, Hybrid (Populus sp x)

Spruce Norway (Picea abies)

Spruce, Black (Picea mariana)

Spruce, White (Picea glauca)

Sycamore, American (Platanus occidentalis)

Tamarack (Larix laricina)

Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera)

Walnut, Black (Juglans nigra)

Willow, Black (Salix nigra)

Oak, Swamp White (Quercus bicolor)

Oak, White (Quercus alba)

TREE SPECIES IDENTIFICATION & USE

Eastern white pine, scientifically known as Pinus strobus, is a large coniferous tree native to the eastern regions of North America, particularly prevalent in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada. Recognized for its striking beauty and exceptional height, the eastern white pine stands as one of the tallest treespeciesintheregion,oftenreachingheightsexceeding150feet.Itsdistinctive features include slender, blue-green needles bundled in clusters of five, and a straight, columnar trunk with reddish-brown bark, that becomes deeply furrowed withage.

As a dominant species in many forest ecosystems, this tree provides valuable habitatandfoodresourcesforadiverserangeofwildlifespecies.Itsdensefoliage and lofty canopy offer shelter and nesting sites for birds such as warblers, chickadees, and owls, while its seeds serve as a vital food source for various small mammals, including squirrels and chipmunks. Likewise, the structural complexity of mature white pine forests supports a diverse understory of shrubs, ferns, and wildflowers, creating microhabitats for numerous species of insects, amphibians, and reptiles. This diversity of life contributes to the resilience of the ecosystem, making it more resistant to disturbances such as disease outbreaks and climate change.

White spruce, otherwise known as Picea glauca, can be found from Newfoundland and Labrador west across Canada along the northern limit of trees to Hudson Bay, Northwest Territories, and Yukon. Also known as the ‘Canadian spruce,’ white spruce can grow to 40 meters tall and on a variety of land forms and soil types, includingriparian,upland,andtreelinesites.

White spruce are large trees with a narrow crown and yellow-brown twigs. Their cones are cylindrical, with scales that can be easily broken apart, distinguishing it from red and black spruce. Its needles are an attractive blue-green, contrasting withitssmall,browncones.

In an ecosystem, white spruce fulfills a vital ecological role, providing food in the form of seeds for numerous species of animals, including seed-eating birds, small mammals, and insects. Additionally, white spruce provide cover and habitat to a range of species, such as vole, American marten, moose, black bear and caribou. Whenit’snotbusysupportingwildlife,whitesprucerootscontributetosoilstabiliy. Becauseofitsdenseform,thetreeiswellsuitedasawindbreakorscreen.

OUR WOODLANDS ARE THE LUNGS OF OUR ENVIRONMENT. OUR FAMILY HAS DECIDED TO PLANT TREES EVERY YEAR TO COUNTERACT THE DAMAGE THAT IS OCCURRING IN OUR REGION. OUR EXPERIENCE WITH THIS PROGRAM HAS NOT ONLY ENRICHED OUR PROPERTY WITH TREES FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS, IT HAS ADDED TO OUR KNOWLEDGE AND APPRECIATION OF FORESTS AND TREES.

YOUR IMPACT ON THE MAP

The Ontario 2023 project supported the planting of 2,230,739 native trees - 2,619 acres - across 1,058 planting sites covering southern Ontario. As more than 90% of Ontario’s population lives within southern Ontario, the impact of this project will be widely felt. The renewed forests will provide ample opportunities for recreation, boost land values, improve and create new wildlife habitat, and provide an array of ecosystem services to safeguard the region’s wellbeing for yearstocome.

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE IMPACT

Through collaborative efforts and strategic planning, this project has yielded significantecological,social,andeconomicbenefits,leavinganindeliblemarkonthe landscapeandcommunitiesofOntario.

At its core, this reforestation project serves as a catalyst for the restoration and enhancement of vital forest ecosystems across the province. By planting 2.3 million trees across Ontario’s diverse landscapes, the project has bolstered biodiversity, improved soil health, and mitigated the impacts of climate change. These newly established forests will serve as havens for wildlife, providing critical habitat for myriad species while enhancing ecological connectivity. Moreover, the project's impact extends beyond ecological considerations, fostering social and economic benefits for communities across Ontario. By engaging local stakeholders and private landowners, this project cultivated a sense of stewardship, increasing interest and empoweringindividualstoparticipateinenvironmentalrestoration.

By harnessing the collective power of government, non-profit organizations, private industry, and local communities, the Ontario 2023 – Healthy Forests Restoration Program has demonstrated the profound impact that collaborative conservation efforts can have on the health and vitality of our natural landscapes. As we reflect on the accomplishments of this reforestation project, we are reminded of the importance of collective action to safeguard our planet’s health for generations to come.

Thanks to donors like you, One Tree Planted has helped our planting partners achieve monumental change by reforesting nearly 250 acres of Ontario’s landscape and restoring its capacity to support the community and wildlife alike. This project’s impactwillbecriticaltoensuringthelong-termsustainabilityofOntario’sforestsand enhancing the resilience of these ecosystems and the benefits they provide now and inthefuture.

DOCUMENTING YOUR IMPACT

Through authentic and informative storytelling, we help donors relate to the people who plant their trees and to the impact they're making for the planet. We share photos, videos, and updates from our global projects across our social media, website, and other media to create a personal connection to the incredible work happeningontheground.

PHOTOS FROM YOUR PROJECT

GROWING A HEALTHY FOREST IS A TEAM EFFORT AND IT TAKES TIME. WE HAVE WORKED HARD TO BUILD STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH PARTNERS WHO UNDERSTAND THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF FORESTS – TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE, TO CLEAN OUR AIR AND WATER, TO SUPPORT BIODIVERSITY, AND TO PROVIDE ECONOMIC AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR COMMUNITIES. WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERS, LANDOWNERS, SUPPORTERS, AND ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT TO PLANT EVEN MORE TREES IN THE COMING YEARS.

ECOLOGICAL BENEFITS

Increasing forest cover is critical to ensuring healthy forests for our future, as well as their associated values. Tree planting projects like the Healthy Forests Restoration Program go a long way toward securing the health of our existing forests, establishing new forests, connecting forests, and improving the overall resilienceofourlandscapes.

The reforested areas across Ontario are set to yield a wealth of ecological benefits. Initially, the newly planted trees will sequester harmful emissions, mitigate flood risks, and bestow a cooling influence upon neighboring urban centers and towns. Serving as climate warriors, these trees will absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, storing it as carbon while replenishing the air with essentialoxygenforcommunitywell-being.

Of the 1,058 planting sites, 47 were riparian plantings. Their presence along waterways and in areas with compromised soil conditions will help purify drinking water, minimize soil erosion, and safeguard water quality, bolstering the resilience of aquatic ecosystems. Lastly, this expansive tree planting initiative serves as a critical bridge, connecting fragmented forests and wildlife habitats, and fostering localbiodiversitythatwillthriveforgenerationstocome.

COMMUNITY BENEFITS

Trees and forests are integral components of healthy, community-supportive ecosystems. The local community will benefit from the forests restored through this project in many ways, including with improved mental health and well-being, outdoor recreational opportunities, economic values, and the many ecological servicesforestsprovide.

The newly established trees will provide spaces for recreation activities like biking and hiking, opportunities for neighborhood gatherings in the new green spaces, and places to play in local parks. Likewise, mental health, physical health, and wellbeing are intricately interconnected with the health of the natural environment. Not onlywilltherestoredgreenspacesencouragepeopletogetoutsideandgetactive, butbeingaroundtreeshasproventoimprovemood,memory,andcognition.

Forests and green spaces have also been linked to a significant decline in stress, improved rehabilitation, faster hospital recovery rates, and a decrease in the severity of symptoms in attention deficit disorders. By highlighting the links between human health and the health of rural and urban forests, tree planting initiatives like this stimulate collaborative action, leading to significant enhancementofforestcoverandlivelihoods.

Furthermore, private landowners received financial support in the form of subsidies for planting, along with access to resources, training, and guides for successful tree establishment. Collaborating with our on-ground partners, these landholders will engage in ongoing maintenance and long-term management of their planting sites, ultimately benefiting from the establishment of healthy forests thatprovideenduringecologicalandeconomicvalue.

U.N. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

THIS PROJECT CONTRIBUTED TO THE FOLLOWING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:

WHAT ARE SDGS?

Sustainable development entails seeking out solutions that not only boost the economic outcomes of developing and poorer nations, but also work to limit (or eliminate)ourimpactontheplanet.Treesareonesuchsolution.

From creating jobs and reducing hunger to improving gender equality, cleaning air and water, absorbing carbon, protecting life on land and water, and more, planting treescanaddressall17sustainabledevelopmentgoals.

“This project is a perfect example of how collective effort - shared amongst various stakeholders and directed toward conservation and environmentalrestoration-canyieldawealthofecologicalandsocial benefits. Between improved climate mitigation, new and improved wildlife habitat, increased carbon sequestration, and recreational opportunities, both the local community and wildlife of Ontario will gainthroughsafeguardedwelfareforyearstocome."

Danny Global Projects Support Specialist

Brittney Burke Regional Director of Projects North America

Meghan