NEWS RELEASE
COUNTY OF SIMCOE
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Spring is a time of renewal, rebirth and rejuvenation. It is also the ideal time to plant trees across our region. As we celebrate 100 years of the Simcoe County Forest, the County remains committed to maintaining, protecting, and growing our Simcoe County Forest, while also encouraging private landowners in their reforestation efforts.
Driven by the commitment of County Council and our forestry program, in 2007, the County established the Simcoe County Tree Program, which directly funds the planting of trees in Simcoe County.
The program provides local organizations including the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, Severn Sound Environmental Association, and Dufferin Simcoe Land Stewardship Network, with vital funds to support tree planting initiatives across the region. Over the past 15 years, the County’s investment, combined with contributions from other organizations and landowners, has culminated in more than 853,000 trees being planted on 530 hectares of land.
In 2022, an additional $30,000 has been committed to continue with these important efforts. These funds are supporting upcoming sustainability efforts, including volunteer tree plantings at the following locations in late April and early May:
- Township of Adjala-Tosorontio – facilitated by Dufferin Simcoe Land Stewardship Network
- Township of Oro-Medonte – facilitated by Severn Sound Environmental Association in partnership with Scouts Canada
- Township of Springwater – Coughlin Tract – facilitated by the Simcoe County Forest
As part of the 100th anniversary of the Simcoe County Forest, the County will be supporting our partner organizations with plantings through the spring and fall seasons. For details on this program visit findyourforest.simcoe.ca.
“Simcoe County is proud of our nationally leading forest management practices, which has enabled us to continue to operate and grow the largest municipally-owned forest network in Ontario,” said Warden George Cornell.
“In 2021 alone, 28,500 tree seedlings were planted in the Simcoe County Forest. We also continue to invest in programs that support our partners with their efforts to expand reforestation initiatives on private lands, helping to maintain the health of our forests and greenspaces for future generations."
About the Simcoe County Forest
Spanning more than 33,000 acres, the Simcoe County Forest is the largest and one of the most productive municipal forests in Ontario. In September 2021, the County of Simcoe received national honours by being recognized as the Forest Capital of Canada for 2022 by the Canadian Institute of Forestry (CIF), which acknowledges leadership in forestry and environmental stewardship.
About the County of Simcoe
County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca.
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