Kitchener is recognized as a Tree City of the World

Kitchener, Ontario – Kitchener has been recognized as a Tree City of the World by the Arbor Day Foundation and United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. Announced at yesterday’s city council meeting, this designation acknowledges the City of Kitchener's efforts in tree care, policy development, community engagement and maintaining a healthy urban canopy.

“I'm proud to see Kitchener recognized for our commitment to our urban forest,” said Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “We have worked hard to make sure that we prioritize our trees and natural spaces as our community continues to grow, both through strategic plans like our sustainable urban forest strategy and through the way we interact with our trees every day. As we look to celebrate Earth Day later this month, this recognition is a wonderful indicator that we’re moving in the right direction for our community, our forest and our planet!”

Kitchener is one of 210 cities across 24 countries recognized as a Tree City of the World, which speaks to our city’s role in our global community in maintaining a commitment to growing a thriving urban canopy that creates a healthier environment for all. The City’s Sustainable Urban Forest Strategy, which serves as the framework for management of our urban forest, provides a vision, goal and five branches for a sustainable urban forest, including growth of our tree canopy to achieve 30% canopy coverage in each ward by 2050 and 33% city-wide by 2070.

“Our team works hard to prioritize the health and the growth of our urban forest,” said Joshua Shea, the City’s Manager of Forestry and Natural Area Management. “We are constantly working to determine how we can support our community in planting more trees and how we can continue to care for the trees that make up our urban forest so they can thrive for years to come. As we continue to work toward our goals, we’re thrilled to be recognized for the work our team puts in every day to support and advocate for the benefits trees provide our community.”

To celebrate this milestone, the City of Kitchener is giving away 210 free trees to residents to help share the benefits of trees with the entire community, representing the 210 cities across 24 countries that are Tree Cities of the World! Interested residents can pick up a 2-3 gallon potted tree this spring to plant on their property. Each household is eligible for one free tree while supplies last, but additional trees may be offered based on demand during the sign-up period. To learn more and apply to receive a free tree as part of the giveaway, check out our sign-up form.

Learn more about the policies, strategies and daily work that helped make Kitchener a Tree City of the World at kitchener.ca/trees.

For more information:

Krystin Scheels
Communications and Marketing Associate
City of Kitchener
krystin.scheels@kitchener.ca
media@kitchener.ca