New Tecumseth receives $1.15M funding to expand urban forest

New Tecumseth is about to look a lot greener.

On Monday, the town announced plans to enhance its natural landscape through $1.15 million in funding provided by the Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund. (FCM’s GMF)

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

“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,” said New Tecumseth Mayor Richard Norcross.

The project will focus on increasing tree canopy coverage and building climate resilience through micro forests planted with native species, food forests that support local food security, and watering, mulching, and street tree planting.

Town officials say this is a long-term goal of theirs: growing canopy coverage from 21 per cent to 30 per cent while promoting biodiversity, shade equity, and environmental health throughout the municipality.

“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.” Said Corey Hogan, parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. “We are proud to collaborate with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to create greener, healthier neighbourhoods that will sustain Canadians for generations.”

The Green Municipal Fund’s Growing Canada’s Community Canopies is a $291M initiative, coming to an end in 2031, it is funded by the Government of Canada and delivered by the FCM.