The initiative is a part of GMF’s broader approach to nature-based climate solutions, which will achieve significant carbon sequestration and increase forest and community resilience to climate change.

GCCC offers funding to support the accessible, ambitious, resilient and equitable expansion of tree canopies in communities. GCCC will support projects that contribute to incremental tree planting in and around population centres, such as community-wide urban planting, forest restoration in naturalized areas, and more localized planting projects. GCCC seeks to fund projects that maximize the social, environmental and economic benefits of tree planting and increase biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Funding Information

• Grant amount: up to a maximum of $10 million in project funding
• Grant amount: up to a maximum of $1 million in infrastructure activity funding

Expected Outcome

• A new tree planting project, with municipal government involvement and accountability.

Eligible Activities

• GCCC supports a variety of tree planting activities such as:
  • Street tree planting, which is the thoughtful placement of trees along public streets, enhancing aesthetics, providing shade, improving air quality and reducing noise
  • Urban planting in areas with low canopy cover, which lowers temperatures to lessen the urban heat island effect
  • Park tree planting, which focuses on establishing new groves and revitalizing existing tree stands in public parks, keeping green spaces healthy and biodiverse
  • Riparian planting in flood-prone areas, which can increase the infiltration and stability of soils
  • Forest restoration and reforestation, which can rehabilitate areas that have experienced die-offs caused by pests or wildfires

Eligibility Criteria

• The following organizations are eligible for funding:
  • Canadian municipal governments (e.g., towns, cities, regions, districts and local boards):
    • Eligible to apply in collaboration with other eligible municipal governments or alone
  • Organizations applying in partnership with municipal governments, which include:
    • Municipal corporations
    • Regional organizations delivering municipal services
    • Indigenous organizations (for-profit and not-for-profit) or Indigenous communities
    • Not-for-profit organizations registered in Canada (e.g., charitable organizations; volunteer organizations; community, professional, industry or other associations; land conservation organizations; and non-government organizations)
    • For-profit organizations or private-sector entities (legally incorporated or registered in Canada)

Ineligibility Criteria

• The following entities are not eligible to receive funds:
  • Homeowners
  • Federal government entities and any organizations established by those entities
  • Provincial and territorial government entities and any corporation that they own or control

Application Requirements

• To apply for GMF funding, you must submit:
  • a pre-application form
  • an application form
  • a project workbook
  • a detailed planting plan

For more information, visit Green Municipal Fund.