While we prefer people to plant native trees and shrubs that best support our environment, we’ll count all new non-invasive trees and shrubs. Why the native tree/shrub preference? Our native pollinators, birds and others, have evolved alongside our native flora, which provides all the ingredients needed to raise their young and feed themselves. Take the Monarch butterfly, for example – no milkweed means no Monarchs. Monarchs need this keystone species to survive. An oak tree is a keystone species for 400-500 species. A gingko offers no similar benefits to our local wildlife.

More information on keystone native plants can be found here.

Wilmot Township consists of urban and rural areas, and increasing the tree canopy both in towns and in the countryside provide equally important but different benefits to our community.

Urban tree canopies are a vital, nature-based infrastructure that benefit the whole community:

• Climate resilience: Trees lower ambient temperatures, combating the urban heat island effect and reducing reliance on air conditioning.
• Stormwater management: Leaves and branches intercept rainfall, while root systems absorb moisture and filter runoff, preventing overwhelmed sewers and flooding.
• Public & Mental Health: Access to green spaces and tree cover lowers blood pressure, reduces stress, and fosters community connection.
• Air Noise & Quality: Tree canopies absorb particulate matter and pollutants, while the trunks and leaves act as natural buffers against noise.
• Biodiversity Conservation: Native flora and local fauna have coexisted for thousands of years, and have adapted to rely on one another for survival, shelter, and reproduction. Ensuring our urban canopies have plenty of native trees and shrubs forms the foundational base of the local food web.

Rural tree canopies provide a host of ecological and agricultural benefits:

• Wilmot Township has an annual spring  tree giveaway, Wilmot Roots, featuring free native trees for residents. More information can be found at www.wilmot.ca/living-here/trees/wilmot-roots/
• Local nurseries (Garden Wilmot members get a 10% discount at Meadow Acres and Colour Paradise). Information on joining Garden Wilmot can be found at www.wilmothortsociety.ca/membership/

If you are interested in planting a large area, please contact LTW directly (letstreewilmot@gmail.com) as we can help source trees for you.

If you own at least 2 hectares (5 acres) of rural land in the watershed, the Grand River Conservation Authority can help you plant hundreds or thousands of native trees. They will send a forestry specialist for a free site visit to create a custom planting plan, coordinate contractors for hand/machine planting, and help secure grants. More information can be found here.

If you have half an acre (0.5 acre) of open land or 1,000 metres for a windrow or riparian buffer planting you may be eligible for Forests Canada’s Planting Program. Funding may be available to help reduce the costs of tree planting and could cover between 50% to 90% of total project planting costs. More information can be found here.

You can still help!

• Come join LTW for a planting event (more information on upcoming planting days can be found on our events calendar)
• Encourage your child’s school to plant more trees
• Support reforestation charities such as Let’s Tree Wilmot, Forests Canada or Grand River Conservation Foundation.