New Tecumseth to Expand Urban Forest with Federal Support

News Release Date – August 19, 2025

New Tecumseth to Expand Urban Forest with Federal Support

New Tecumseth, ON — The Town of New Tecumseth is set to enhance its natural landscape thanks to new funding from the Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund (FCM’s GMF). Through GMF’s Growing Canada’s Community Canopies (GCCC) initiative, the Town will receive nearly $1.15 million to strengthen green infrastructure and promote environmental sustainability across the community.

This investment is part of a larger $16.9 million national commitment to grow greener communities and improve well-being through strategic tree planting projects.

The New Tecumseth project will focus on increasing tree canopy coverage and building climate resilience through:

•             Micro forests planted with native species to create thriving wildlife habitats

•             Food forests to support local food security and encourage community participation

•             Enhancement through watering, mulching, and street tree plantings to enrich public spaces and improve canopy equity

Together, these efforts will advance the Town’s long-term goal of growing canopy coverage from 21% to 30%, while promoting biodiversity, shade equity, and environmental health throughout the municipality.

Funding for these projects is being provided by the Government of Canada’s 2 Billion Trees Program and delivered through FCM’s Growing Canada’s Community Canopies (GCCC) initiative.  Announced in May 2024, GCCC will support the planting of at least 1.2 million new trees across Canada by the end of March 2031 while offering funding, resources and coaching to communities. Communities looking to expand their tree canopies can apply for funding until September 18, 2025.  Tree planting funding will accept applications until September 18, 2025, for the 2026 planting season to support communities in expanding their canopies. 

Quotes

“Planting trees is an investment in the resilience of our communities. This initiative demonstrates how local leadership can spark national progress, delivering lasting benefits for Canadians and the environment. We are proud to collaborate with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to create greener, healthier neighbourhoods that will sustain Canadians for generations.”

Corey Hogan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

“The support from our federal partners and FCM empowers us to move forward on a vision for a greener, more connected future,” said Town of New Tecumseth Mayor, Richard Norcross. “These forests will be more than trees—they'll be places to gather, grow, and thrive.”

Mayor Richard Norcross, Town of New Tecumseth

For more information on the Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative, visit fcm.ca

About FCM’s Green Municipal Fund  

FCM’s Green Municipal Fund (GMF) is a globally unique organization providing funding and education to municipalities to help them both reach net-zero and build resilient communities, while also delivering economic and social benefits such as jobs, housing and infrastructure. Since inception in 2000, it has helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2.9 million tonnes, funded more than 13,000 person-years of employment, enabled nearly 30,000 sustainable affordable housing units, and contributed $1.24 billion to the national GDP via the more than 2,336 approved projects. GMF manages approximately $2.4 billion in programs funded by the Government of Canada. 

The Green Municipal Fund’s Growing Canada’s Community Canopies is a $291M initiative, ending in 2031, funded by the Government of Canada and delivered by the FCM. Capacity building is enabled through a partnership with Tree Canada.