Tree Canada to host recognition event for residents who received 2018 community grants

(Fort McMurray, AB – September 17, 2018) – On Saturday, September 22, 2018, Tree Canada and CN will host a recognition event for residents of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo who received community grants through the #OperationReLeaf – Fort McMurray program this summer.

The #OperationReLeaf – Fort McMurray program is a multi-year effort to help residents of the RMWB reclaim trees after the 2016 Horse River Wildfire. As part of the program, Tree Canada partnered with FireSmart Canada and the RMWB to provide grants to residents and community groups in the region. Funding was provided to eligible applicants looking to plant fire-resistant trees on private property, according to FireSmart principles.

This summer, Tree Canada provided more than $400,000 in funding to over 200 residents and seven community groups in the RMWB. To date, the #OperationReLeaf – Fort McMurray program has helped plant 78,000 trees in the region.

“Tree Canada is dedicated to supporting re-greening efforts in the RMWB,” said Michael Rosen, President of Tree Canada. “Our hope is that these community grants were supportive in helping residents rebuild their properties after the 2016 Horse River Wildfire and encouraged all homeowners throughout the region to implement FireSmart practices in their own backyards.”

The recognition event will take place from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at Lions Park. Lunch will be provided on a first come, first served basis. The event will be open to all residents and community groups who received funding this summer.

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About Tree Canada:
Tree Canada is a non-profit charity dedicated to improving the lives of Canadians by planting and nurturing trees. Since 1992, Tree Canada has planted more than 80 million trees, greened more than 600 schoolyards, helped restore places hit by natural disasters and brought together urban forestry experts greening cities all across Canada. Get involved or learn more about us at treecanada.ca.

Contact:
Fabrice Parisi
Tree Canada Program Manager, Operation ReLeaf Fort McMurray
fparisi@treecanada.ca
613-567-5545 ext. 234

About FireSmart Canada:
FireSmart Canada is the go-to national program committed to helping Canadians reduce their wildfire risk and become fire adapted through community-based solutions. FireSmart is administered by Partners in Protection Association; a non-profit coalition of federal, provincial, first nations’, private industry and municipal fire, emergency and land management experts. Through publications, programs, outreach training, and workshops, FireSmart provides tools for Canadians to become pro-active in reducing the risk of wildfire to their homes and communities. For more information on FireSmart, visit firesmartcanada.ca.

Contact:
Laura Stewart
President, FireSmart Canada
president@firesmartcanada.ca
587-985-2095

Media Inquiries:
media@rmwb.ca

NT4