Tree Canada's Edible Trees program sprouts up again in 2016

Communities across Canada can apply for grants to plant fruit and nut trees

OTTAWA, Nov. 24, 2016 /CNW/ - Tree Canada today is pleased to announce the return of one of its most popular programs, Edible Trees, which offers funding of up to $4,000 and other resources for community-based projects that provide residents with access to fresh fruit and nut trees while making a positive difference to the Canadian environment.

"We're thankful to TELUS, Silk and Loblaw for helping us bring back Edible Trees for another year," said Michael Rosen, president of Tree Canada. "In addition to providing funding for community-based projects, this signature Tree Canada program educates communities on how to help new fruit and nut trees thrive. Once planted, these trees provide communities with access to fresh produce and enrich their green space, contributing to both a healthier environment and healthier people."

Since its inception in 2012, Tree Canada's Edible Trees program has helped plant almost 8,000 fruit and nut providing trees and shrubs in communities across Canada.  The deadline for submission is February 24, 2017, and funding is available, but not limited to, community gardening groups, community housing projects, schools, parks and arboretums. Tree Canada will consider projects which meet the following criteria:

• Increases equitable access to healthy food;
• Strengthens communities by empowering neighbors to share in the harvest and care of city-grown food resources;
• Benefits the local community by providing access to the trees and their fruit by the public (i.e. food banks, volunteers, community kitchens);
• Meets the needs of the community and includes creative plans for the produce grown;
• Takes place within a geographic area suitable for growing fruit and nut trees;
• Protects and preserves the Canadian environment;
• Assists residents in understanding and participating in environmental activities in local communities.

For more information on how to apply, please visit: https://treecanada.ca/en/programs/edible-trees/how-apply/

About Tree Canada
Tree Canada is a not-for-profit charitable organization established to encourage Canadians to plant and care for trees in urban and rural environments.  Tree Canada engages Canadian companies, government agencies and individuals to support the planting of trees, the greening of schoolyards, and other efforts to sensitize Canadians to the benefits of planting and maintaining trees. Since 1992, more than 80 million trees have been planted, over 580 schoolyards have been greened, and Tree Canada has helped organize twelve national urban forest conferences. The next Canadian Urban Forest Conference will take place in Vancouver, BC in 2018. More information about Tree Canada is available at www.treecanada.ca.

SOURCE Tree Canada

Image with caption: "Tree Canada (CNW Group/Tree Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161124_C5845_PHOTO_EN_825386.jpg

Monette Gauvreau, Tree Canada, 613-567-5545 ext. 227, [email protected]|