The City of Grande Prairie has planted 263 new trees in parks, boulevards and civic spaces to expand the urban canopy and strengthen long-term forest health. The project was made possible through City capital funding and a $125,000 grant funded by the Government of Canada through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) Growing Canada’s Community Canopies program.
Planting took place in June 2025 at locations including Muskoseepi Park, neighbourhood boulevards, sports fields and civic building sites. Species were selected for climate resilience and biodiversity. Varieties include white spruce, Ohio buckeye, cottonwood, maple, linden, bur oak and others.
“Planting trees is a meaningful investment in the long-term health and livability of our city,” said City of Grande Prairie Mayor, Jackie Clayton. “This project supports Council’s strategic priorities by enhancing quality of life, strengthening our natural environment and beautifying public spaces. With the support from FCM, we’re taking thoughtful steps to grow a more resilient, welcoming community for generations to come.”
The initiative supports the City’s Urban Forest Strategy by promoting a diverse, climate-resilient canopy. A healthy urban forest helps manage stormwater, reduce heat, improve air quality, support biodiversity and contribute to community wellbeing, reinforcing Council’s focus on environmental stewardship and an inclusive, caring community.
Funding for these projects is being provided by the Government of Canada’s 2 Billion Trees Program 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. Communities looking to expand their tree canopies can apply for funding until September 18, 2025. Tree planting funding will accept applications until September 18, 2025, for the 2026 planting season to support communities in expanding their canopies.
“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.”
“La plantation d’arbres représente un investissement dans la résilience de nos collectivités. Cette initiative montre bien que le leadership local peut susciter des progrès à l’échelle nationale, générant ainsi des retombées durables tant pour la population canadienne que pour l’environnement,” a dit Corey Hogan, secrétaire parlementaire du ministre de l’Énergie et des Ressources naturelles. “Nous sommes honorés de collaborer avec la Fédération canadienne des municipalités afin de favoriser l’aménagement de quartiers plus verts et plus sains, appelés à soutenir les Canadiens pour les générations à venir.”
About FCM’s Green Municipal Fund
FCM’s Green Municipal Fund (GMF) is a globally unique organization providing funding and education to municipalities to help 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 2.9 million tonnes, funded more than 13,000 person-years of employment, enabled nearly 30,000 sustainable affordable housing units, and contributed $1.24 billion to the national GDP via the more than 2,336 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 $291M initiative, ending in 2031, funded by the Government of Canada and delivered by the FCM. Capacity building is enabled through a partnership with Tree Canada.
For more information about the City’s tree planting efforts and urban canopy, visit cityofgp.com/trees.
