Tree Planting Milestone Benefits Simcoe County

By Anthony Giordano, July 16, 2026

Courtesy Barrie360.com

After another week of hot weather, many people appreciated the shade provided by mature trees.

That makes this environmental milestone especially meaningful.

The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority has now planted 4.5 million trees since it began its reforestation program in 1965.

Those trees provide much more than shade.

They improve air quality, protect wildlife habitat, reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, and help capture carbon from the atmosphere.

Officials say there is still plenty of room for more trees throughout the watershed.

In fact, private landowners can also work with the conservation authority to plant trees on their own properties, helping strengthen forests across the region.