EIWD planted 30,000 trees this year across six Interlake municipalities
Despite being hailed as a natural remedy to help combat the climate crisis, the federal government’s 2 Billion Trees program will be winding down.
But the East Interlake Watershed District says the federal government’s continued support for existing agreements under the program will allow EIWD to deliver the program until 2031.
The federal budget, which was released in November, states that although the government will be halting the 2 Billion Trees program, existing contributions will be honoured ($200 million over four years). Uncommitted funds will be “returned” to the government.
The government remains committed to sustainable forest management practices, states the budget, and will be embarking on a “new climate competitiveness strategy” that will see investment in clean growth via tax credits.
The 2BT initiative was launched by former prime minister Justin Trudeau in 2021. It aimed to plant trees every year until 2031 with a $3.2 billion investment. Carbon capture and storage, restored biodiversity and habitats and better human health were cited as benefits.
According to an Aug. 29 news release from Natural Resources Canada, over 228 million trees have been planted to date under the 2BT program with the government having already signed or in the process of negotiating tree-planting agreements with provinces and territories, Indigenous communities, municipalities and non-governmental organizations.
Trees absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and store it in their trunk as they grow. When trees are cut down or die, they release the stored carbon. Planting new trees aims to maintain that balance. In addition to mitigating the amount of greenhouse gases that contribute to the climate crisis, trees in urban areas can reduce air and surface temperatures and contribute to lower energy use in buildings.
East Interlake Watershed District manager Armand Belanger said EIWD will be able to continue administering the 2BT program under its existing agreements. The provincially and federally funded organization worked with landowners in six Interlake municipalities this year to plant trees.
“The East Interlake Watershed District (EIWD) partnered with approximately 15 landowners across six municipalities to plant 30,000 trees in 2025. This initiative builds on EIWD’s collaboration with the Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society (AWES) under the federal 2 Billion Trees Program and the provincial GROW program,” said Belanger. “The federal government has confirmed continued support for existing agreements, ensuring EIWD will deliver the program through to 2031.”
In addition to offering the free 2BT program and subsidized tree-planting projects, EIWD supports the agricultural industry by encouraging cover cropping, nitrogen management and rotational grazing, tests surface, ground and storm water quality, maps landscapes and seals abandoned wells.
