Launched in 2021, the 2 Billion Trees program (2BT) continues to maintain positive and collaborative relationships with provincial and territorial governments, non-governmental organizations, municipalities, Indigenous governments and organizations, for-profit companies, and industry members across the country to deliver long-term benefits for all Canadians including:
- restored biodiversity and habitats
- carbon capture and storage
- more forest cover
- better human health
Getting from seeds to trees takes years. Our approach: establish long-term agreements to ensure project partners have the certainty they need to complete their work and create long-term benefits for Canadians.
On this page
Success across Canada
As of June 2026, the program has agreements in place to plant nearly 1 billion trees with over 35%Footnote 1 already planted. Although no longer accepting applications, the program continues to manage 130 active projects and will report annually on the number of trees planted until it concludes in March 2031.
Key accomplishments:
2BT projects have planted over 300 tree species to support a climate-resilient future.
93% of tree planting projects feature a mix of 2 or more species to support biodiversity.
27% of all projects funded are Indigenous led, highlighting the vital role of Indigenous Peoples in advancing nature-based climate solutions.
Where trees are being planted
The 2BT program provides funding to support five different types of tree planting projects. Since its launch, the program has signed agreements for 290 projects, with many being implemented over multiple years. Examples of projects by type are below:
1. Urban Lands
Supporting projects led by municipalities, school boards, communities, and others.
Trees planted in urban and suburban areas cool and beautify city centres. They provide flood protection, they support physical and mental well-being, and they help Canadians connect with nature. Tree planting projects on urban lands are creating bigger and better urban forests and green spaces across the country.
Additional applicants interested in planting trees in and around urban and suburban communities may be eligible for funding through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative.
Since 2021, 2BT has signed 72 agreements for tree planting projects on urban lands benefitting hundreds of communities across Canada.
Project highlights
Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Growing Canada’s Community Canopies Initiative
- Location: Across Canada
- Project Timeline: 2023 to 2031
- Objective: To support tree planting and capacity building for communities of all sizes. Through this project, at least 1.2 million new trees will be planted in approximately 300 communities by 2031, generating more than 2,000 jobs every year in municipalities across Canada.
2. Federal Lands
Supporting projects with other federal government departments and agencies.
Only 4% of lands in the provinces are owned by the federal government, leading to significantly fewer places that are suitable for tree planting, compared with provincial and private landowners. The federal land that is available for tree planting includes places like defence bases where members of the Canadian forces and their families live and train, and national parks and heritage places where Canadians can connect with the vast natural beauty of their country.
Since 2021, 2BT has signed 6 agreements for tree planting projects on federal lands.
Project highlights
National Capital Commission
- Location: National Capital Region
- Project Timeline: 2023 to 2031
- Objective: To plant approximately 88,500 trees over the course of eight years to increase canopy cover toward a climate-resilient national capital region and to enhance ecological, social and economic benefits of the urban forest in the region.
3. Indigenous Groups and Lands
Supporting projects led by Indigenous governments, organizations, and communities.
The 2BT program recognizes the diversity of Indigenous cultures and allocated $500 million to support projects led by First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and unaffiliated or cross-distinction groups.
Since 2021, 2BT has signed 79 agreements for tree planting projects led by Indigenous governments and organizations across Canada.
Project highlights
Nekoté Limited Partnership
- Location: Northern Manitoba
- Project Timeline: 2022 to 2031
- Objective: To build capacity within Nekoté member Nations through skills and knowledge transfer in forestry and silviculture, and plant 20.8 million trees to restore boreal forest lands affected by pest infestation and wildfire. The project will improve forest health and biodiversity.
4. Private Lands
Supporting projects led by third-party organizations, including for-profit and non-profit organizations, local conservation authorities, and other groups working with private landowners.
Since 2021, 2BT has signed 105 agreements for tree planting projects on private lands across Canada.
Project highlights
Forests Canada
- Location: Across Canada
- Project Timeline: 2023 to 2031
- Objective: To plant 31 million trees across the country to contribute to habitat restoration (including species at risk habitat), and provide the many social, cultural, environmental, and economic benefits that trees and forests offer.
5. Provincial/Territorial Lands
Supporting tree planting on public lands and contributing to conservation efforts through initiatives such as species at risk habitat restoration.
Provinces and territories manage 90% of forested land in Canada and govern tree planting within their jurisdictions.
The program has agreements with 11 of 13 provinces and territories, demonstrating our joint commitment to creating long-lasting benefits from tree planting projects. These projects support wildland fire recovery, restore habitats for species at risk, and ensure healthy and resilient forests in a changing climate.
Since 2021, 2BT has signed 28 agreements for tree planting projects on provincial and territorial lands.
Project highlights
Government of New Brunswick
- Location: Across New Brunswick
- Project Timeline: 2023 to 2031
- Objective: To leverage New Brunswick’s existing forest management framework to plant approximately 52.9 million trees on public lands to increase resiliency to climate change, which will help regulate extreme weather events, and sequester emissions.
View more project highlights by type of project.
Ensuring Long-Term Benefits
Just like in gardening, proper preparation is the key to success when planting new trees. The 2BT program collaborates with partners to understand how they plan to prepare sites, choose tree species, and monitor trees after planting them. When we make sure the job is done well, nature can thrive, and the long-term health and sustainability of our forests can be maintained.
Program staff conduct site visits to monitor project progress. We have also developed a Long-Term Monitoring Plan that uses site information collected from partners every year. Natural Resources Canada uses science and technology to keep monitoring the trees after they are planted, including once the program ends.