A local tree planting group is concerned about cuts by the Doug Ford Conservatives.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry announced last month it's eliminating the 50 Million Trees Program, an initiative launched in 2008 to plant 50 million trees by 2025.
Lakeshore Eco-Network co-founder Max Morden said more than 27 million trees have been planted across the province through the program.
He said it will now be up to Ontarians to fill the gap.
"I don't think there's ever been a more important time to plant trees as we're beginning to recognize the challenges of climate change," said Morden. "Trees are very important for a number of reasons, but one of the most important is that they sequester carbon, they pull carbon out of the atmosphere."
The network was formed in 2014 after an EF1 tornado hit Grand Bend destroying a number of trees.
Morden said their initial goal was to plant 5,000 trees in 10 years.
"We certainly could have had a more ambitious goal, but we certainly want to plant as many trees as we can," laughed Morden. "We're close to 4,000 trees now that we've planted, so we're moving towards that goal."
The group is hosting its biannual tree and garden market Saturday morning in Grand Bend.
Morden said they'll have plenty of plants, shrubs and trees to choose from.
"It's sort of like a farmer's market of local growers who specialize in native trees, plants, and shrubs. So it's just an opportunity to come and meet local growers and network, and find out more about the kinds of plants and trees that really flourish in this area," said Morden. "We have a variety of trees, deciduous trees, evergreens, also flowering shrubs and plants. So it's not just trees, it's also native plants and shrubs ."
The Spring Tree and Garden Market goes from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. near St. John's Anglican Church at 70642 Ontario St. N.
Spring Tree and Garden Market Poster. 2019.
