On October 17, Jaime Battiste, Member of Parliament for Sydney–Victoria, Nova Scotia, announced a new joint investment with the Atlantic Coastal Action Program (ACAP) Cape Breton. The announcement highlighted over $1.2 million in funding to plant more trees in eastern Cape Breton as part of the 2 Billion Trees (2BT) program. This reforestation effort, set to unfold over the next four years, aims to revitalize local ecosystems, support biodiversity, and bolster the local workforce.

This project will plant over 208,000 trees along with native shrubs and plants, creating new habitats for wildlife while also helping to manage carbon emissions. The benefits extend beyond the environment, providing job opportunities and training for locals, making sure that communities have the skills to keep planting and caring for these new trees.

Jaime Battiste emphasized the power of working together to manage forests and address environmental challenges: “Partnership and collaboration play a critical role in the sustainable management of our forests and tackling the dual crisis of climate change and biodiversity loss.”

The project will span four years, focusing on key outcomes such as:

• Restoring Ecosystems 🌲: Trees will be planted in areas of eastern Cape Breton that have experienced deforestation. The addition of native shrubs and plants will help bring back lost habitats, supporting a wide range of flora and fauna.
• Supporting Local Workers 💼: The initiative includes training and mentorship programs for local workers and students, building skills in tree planting and forest maintenance. This approach not only supports reforestation now but ensures that the region can sustain these efforts in the future.
• Enhancing Community Knowledge 📚: The project will increase awareness of forest restoration practices among locals, teaching methods that help reduce the impact of extreme weather events like flooding.

Dr. Kathleen Aikens, Executive Director of ACAP Cape Breton, highlighted the broader impact: “The trees we plant will help restore forest ecosystems and create a more-resilient climate legacy for our communities as well as the creatures we share this land with.”

The Cape Breton project is part of Canada’s larger 2 Billion Trees program, an initiative aimed at planting two billion trees across the country over a decade. Since its launch in 2021, the program has secured agreements to plant over 553 million trees, working closely with local communities, Indigenous groups, and organizations to get the job done right. This means careful planning for site preparation, selecting the right species for each area, and ongoing monitoring to ensure long-term success.

The trees planted as part of this initiative will serve multiple roles—sequestering carbon to fight climate change, providing shade and shelter for wildlife, and helping to improve water quality in local watersheds. As Mike Kelloway, MP for Cape Breton–Canso, put it: “Trees planted as part of the 2 Billion Trees program create greener, healthier, and more resilient communities in the face of a changing climate.”

By focusing on long-term benefits and local collaboration, this reforestation project is set to make a lasting impact on both the environment and the community, contributing to Canada’s broader goal of building a greener future. Read more in Natural Resources Canada's press release.