In 2020, the Government of Canada launched a program to plant two billion trees in Canada over 10 years. On Feb 24, 2021 the federal government issued calls for Requests for Information (RFI) under the Growing Canada’s Forests program which are due May 27, 2021 (https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/science-and-data/funding-partnerships/funding-opportunities/forest-sector-funding-programs/growing-canadas-forests-program/gcf-program-future-participants/23313).

CRD is interested in collaborating with municipalities, larger stewardship groups currently engaged in watershed restoration, community associations and First Nations partners to submit a regional RFI. The Government of Canada will use the RFI feedback to design this multi-year funding program and this opportunity will enable us to provide feedback on future funding criteria, grant application process and to identify how the CRD and our partners may want to utilize future funding. The RFI is intended to identify potential linkages within the supply chain, facilitate collaboration between the CRD and the funder as they build out the program. The RFI submission will not commit the CRD to any projects, nor will it necessarily result in funding; it will help to inform the funding program moving forward.

There will likely be a fall intake for funding applications. In a conversation with the funder earlier this week, they indicated that this grant program will entertain flow through or third party funding, meaning that an organization like the CRD can get a large grant and distribute it to local partners for tree planting projects. This provides an opportunity to explore potential collaborations and projects for a future region-wide multi-year funding application that would provide trees and other support to help further:

• watershed and shoreline restoration projects,
• support municipal urban forest and parks enhancement,
• support tree planting on private property,
• Climate adaptation and resilience.

Do you need trees for any future projects? Join us to hear more and to participate in this discussion at one of the following virtual sessions:

Wednesday, April 21nd, 2.00-3.30pm
Join on your computer or mobile app: Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only): +1 778-402-9211,,857170657# Canada, Victoria or (877) 567-6843,,857170657# Canada (Toll-free)
Phone Conference ID: 857 170 657#

Wednesday, April 28th, 7.00-8.30pm
Join on your computer or mobile app: Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only): +1 778-402-9211,,355729093# Canada, Victoria or (877) 567-6843,,355729093# Canada (Toll-free)
Phone Conference ID: 355 729 093#

These two sessions are specific to community associations and stewardship groups, separate sessions will be held to engage with municipal staff and First Nations. Feel free to share this invitation widely to other stewardship groups.

If you cannot attend, but still want to participate please send your feedback via email to Beatrice Frank: bfrank@crd.bc.ca or Jody Watson jwatson@crd.bc.ca. Thank you.