A federally supported tree planting project added 386 trees across parks, boulevards and other public spaces throughout Grande Prairie in 2026, adding to the continued growth and long-term health of the city’s urban forest.
The project was supported by City capital funding and a $222,000 grant funded by the Government of Canada through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative. Of the grant funding, $185,000 supported tree planting and $37,000 supported the purchase of a water truck to help establish and care for trees across the city.
FCM’s Growing Canada’s Community Canopies (GCCC) initiative was announced in May 2024 and 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 project advances the City’s Urban Forest Strategy, which provides long-term direction for managing, protecting and growing Grande Prairie’s urban forest. The strategy identifies tree planting, species diversity, proactive maintenance and coordinated tree establishment as important to maintaining a healthy and resilient urban forest.
“Growing our urban forest is an investment in the places people experience every day,” said City of Grande Prairie Mayor, Jackie Clayton. “Adding trees across our parks, neighbourhoods and public spaces supports neighbourhood livability while helping us care for community assets with the long term in mind. This funding allows us to not only plant more trees, but also invest in the care they need to establish and thrive.”
“FCM is proud to support the City of Grande Prairie’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.”
Grande Prairie’s urban forest includes all publicly and privately owned trees and supporting vegetation within city limits, including those in natural areas, parks, boulevards, residential properties and commercial and industrial areas. Trees within the urban forest provide a range of ecosystem services, including temperature regulation, stormwater management, habitat and recreational and social benefits.
The investment also supports the City’s long-term approach to tree establishment. The Urban Forest Strategy calls for planting to be planned and coordinated over multiple years to support sustainable urban forest growth and efficient use of resources.
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 $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 Grande Prairie’s urban forest, visit cityofgp.com/trees.