Town of Amherstburg Receives Green Municipal Fund Support for Multi-Year Street Tree Planting Plan
Amherstburg, ON — The Town of Amherstburg has been selected to receive $170,650 through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) Growing Canada’s Community Canopies Initiative to support a multi-year street tree planting plan designed to protect and enhance the Town’s urban tree canopy.
Through the project, the Town will plant 350 new street trees in targeted urban areas, with a focus on neighbourhoods with lower tree cover and areas with high pedestrian activity. Street trees are Town-owned trees planted within the municipal right-of-way, typically within the boulevard area along streets.
Funding for this project is provided by the Government of Canada and delivered through FCM’s Growing Canada’s Community Canopies (GCCC) initiative. 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.
The new trees will provide a range of environmental and community benefits, including improved air quality, increased shade, reduced urban heat, and improved stormwater management. Tree-lined streets can also support pedestrian and cycling comfort, encourage slower traffic, enhance neighbourhood character, reduce household energy costs through shade, and provide food and shelter for birds, pollinators and other wildlife.
“Investing in our urban tree canopy is an investment in the long-term health and livability of our community,” said Mayor Michael Prue. “This funding will allow the Town to strategically add trees where they can provide the greatest benefit for residents, while creating greener, more resilient neighbourhoods for years to come.”
A diverse selection of native and climate-resilient species will be considered as part of the planting program, including Hackberry, Tulip Tree, Honey Locust, London Plane, Kentucky Coffee Tree, Autumn Blaze Maple, Zelkova, Linden, Sweet Gum, Red Sunset Maple, October Glory Maple, Pin Oak and Ivory Silk Lilac.
“FCM is proud to support the Town of Amherstburg’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.”
The Town shared additional information about the street tree planting plan project at a Public Information Session open house held on September 22, 2026.
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 $291-million initiative, ending in 2031, funded by the Government of Canada and delivered by FCM. Capacity building is enabled through a partnership with Tree Canada.
Learn more about the Federation of Canadian Municipalities at: fcm.ca
Learn more about FCM’s Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative
