Tree Canada's National Tree Day grows Canadians' appreciation for trees

Educational events being held across the country with partner IKEA Canada

OTTAWA, Sept. 21, 2015 /CNW/ - Tree Canada, the nation's leader in tree-related programs and resources, is celebrating National Tree Day on September 23^rd with a series of events designed to educate and enlighten Canadians on the many benefits of trees.   

"Growing in size every year, National Tree Day helps remind Canadians of the importance of trees," said Michael Rosen, President of Tree Canada.  "They beautify our communities, naturally cool our cities in the summer, and combat climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide emissions and producing oxygen, as well as help to improve human health."

Over the past twenty years, Tree Canada has planted 80 million trees and greened more than 550 schoolyards across the country. The organization engages communities, governments, corporations and individuals in the pursuit of a greener and healthier living environment, and provides Canadians with education, technical expertise, and resources to plant and care for urban and rural trees.

Tree Canada has been a driving force behind the establishment of a National Tree Day in Canada. It falls on the third week of September, which is recognized as National Forest Week across the country. Canadians can look up National Tree Day events in their area at Tree Canada's National Tree Day site, www.nationaltreeday.ca.

This year, Tree Canada has partnered with IKEA Canada on a series of educational events across the country. Designed to help grow children's knowledge of trees and nature's role in nourishment, IKEA Canada volunteers will be visiting elementary schools and municipal parks in Ottawa, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver and the Greater Toronto Area.

"At IKEA, we strive to make a positive impact on the communities where we do business," says Stefan Sjostrand, President, IKEA Canada. "We've enjoyed a special relationship with Tree Canada for over 18 years, and believe National Tree Day is a great time to celebrate our longstanding partnership, our commitment to sustainability and our focus on connecting nature and nutrition for Canadian families across the country."

Tree Canada is committed to working with corporate partners such as IKEA Canada, government, and individual partners on tree-planting programs, including providing "ReLeaf" to areas suffering damage from natural disasters, offering funding to communities for fruit-bearing trees, greening school grounds, and more. In celebration of National Tree Day, Tree Canada supports events in communities across Canada and until September 30, 2015, invites Canadians to take the National Tree Day challenge. By planting a virtual tree online, Canadians can help plant 20,000 trees across the country and become eligible to win one of three trips to Fairmont Banff Springs.

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, nearly 80 million trees have been planted, over 550 schoolyards have been greened, and Tree Canada has helped organize eleven national urban forest conferences. The next Canadian Urban Forest Conference will take place in Laval, QC in 2016. More information about Tree Canada is available at www.treecanada.ca.

About IKEA
IKEA is a leading home furnishings retailer with 361 stores in 50 countries worldwide, which are visited by 821 million people every year. IKEA Canada has 12 stores which are visited by over 25 million people every year. Last year the IKEA.com websites attracted 1.1 billion visitors. Founded in 1943, IKEA's business philosophy is to offer a wide range of products of good design and function at prices so low, the majority of people can afford them. For more information on IKEA, please visit: www.IKEA.ca.

SOURCE Tree Canada

Image with caption: "Tree Canada (CNW Group/Tree Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150918_C7994_PHOTO_EN_501071.jpg

For further information: Richard Walker, Director of Communications & Program Development, Tree Canada, Tel: [phone] ext. 224, [e-mail]