City of Oshawa expands urban forest with federal support

The City of Oshawa is continuing to grow its urban forest with $560,860 in funding from the Government of Canada through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) Growing Canada’s Community Canopies (GCCC) initiative for two tree-planting projects across the city.

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.Through one project, 600 large-caliper trees were planted in fall 2025, with an additional 1,000 tree plantings this year in parks and greenspaces across the city, including priority areas impacted by Emerald Ash Borer and recent canopy loss. Tree species were carefully selected to enhance climate resilience and biodiversity, with varieties including Red Oak, Kentucky Coffeetree and others. Through the other project, 40 large-caliper trees were planted at Rotary Park.

The new plantings will expand Oshawa's urban tree canopy, increase biodiversity, improve air quality, create valuable habitat for birds and pollinators and strengthen the long-term health and resilience of the city’s urban forest. This project also advances tree equity by improving access to the environmental, health and social benefits of trees across neighbourhoods throughout the community. To learn more about Oshawa’s urban forest and tree canopy, visit oshawa.ca/Trees.

The project at Rotary Park was made possible through a $218,500 grant funded by the Government of Canada through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative.

The planting project of 1,600 trees was made possible through a $342,360 grant funded by the Government of Canada through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative.

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“We thank the Green Municipal Fund and the Growing Canada’s Community Canopies program for their investment in Oshawa’s urban forest, said Mayor Dan Carter, City of Oshawa. “Through this funding, more than 1,600 new trees are being planted across our great City of Oshawa, helping expand tree canopy coverage, increase biodiversity and create healthier, greener spaces for residents to enjoy for generations to come.”

“FCM is proud to support the City of Oshawa’s transformative tree-planting project,” said Tim Tierney, FCM President. “Through the Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative and with the support of the Government of Canada, we’re helping municipalities of every size get the right trees in the ground in the right places, creating cooler streets, cleaner air, and healthier neighbourhoods for decades to come.”

“Whether they are providing shade on a hot summer day, improving local green spaces, or bringing people together outdoors, trees make our communities better places to live,” said Secretary of State (Nature), the Honourable Nathalie Provost. “Together, we are helping communities expand their green spaces, providing lasting environmental and community benefits. The trees being planted will provide greater shade and comfort, and contribute to a healthier, more resilient and sustainable community.”

About FCM’s Green Municipal Fund

FCM’s Green Municipal Fund (GMF) is a globally unique organization that leverages investments from the Government of Canada to provide funding and education to municipalities, helping 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 3.02 million tonnes, funded nearly 60,000 person-years of employment and contributed $5.6 billion to the national GDP via the more than 2,850 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.