Growing Canada’s Community Canopie

Overview of the Growing Canada’s Community Canopie program:

The GCCC program, managed by Tree Canada, is a national initiative that provides funding and technical support for large-scale, community-based tree planting projects in cities, towns, and Indigenous communities. It was created in response to increasing climate challenges and the urgent need to restore urban tree canopies lost due to age, development, disease, or severe weather. Funded by the Government of Canada’s 2 Billion Trees program, GCCC supports municipalities and Indigenous communities that are committed to long-term tree management. The program’s aim is to contribute to the national climate plan by improving air quality, increasing climate resilience, enhancing biodiversity, and providing social benefits through green infrastructure. Eligible projects must involve the planting of hundreds to thousands of native or climate-resilient trees on public or community-owned land. Proposals must include a 10-year maintenance plan to ensure long-term tree health and canopy growth. Tree Canada provides both financial support and expert guidance, including species selection, planting strategies, and community engagement approaches. In addition to ecological restoration, GCCC encourages public participation and local stewardship. Projects can include parks, boulevards, schoolyards, community centers, and other public areas. Tree Canada prioritizes partnerships that involve local residents, youth, and Indigenous knowledge holders in planning and care.

Benefits of the Growing Canada’s Community Canopie program:

• Access to large-scale tree planting grants
• Increases urban forest cover to combat heat islands and pollution
• Promotes biodiversity and ecological restoration
• Helps municipalities and Indigenous communities meet climate goals
• Encourages community engagement and environmental education
• Improves public health and well-being through green space expansion
• Offers expert advice and support from Tree Canadas network of foresters and planners
• Aligns with Canadas commitment to planting 2 billion trees by 2031

Eligibility criteria of the Growing Canada’s Community Canopie program:

• Access to large-scale tree planting grants
• Increases urban forest cover to combat heat islands and pollution
• Promotes biodiversity and ecological restoration
• Helps municipalities and Indigenous communities meet climate goals
• Encourages community engagement and environmental education
• Improves public health and well-being through green space expansion
• Offers expert advice and support from Tree Canadas network of foresters and planners
• Aligns with Canadas commitment to planting 2 billion trees by 2031