Tree planting partnership enhances stormwater pond in Kawartha Lakes

NOVEMBER 2, 2026 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LINDSAY, ONTARIO - Kawartha Conservation and the City of Kawartha Lakes have completed a tree planting initiative around a municipal stormwater management pond, investing in a healthier natural landscape that will provide environmental and community benefits as the trees grow.

The Stormwater Management Pond Forestation project received $73,820 from the Government of Canada, delivered through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative, part of FCM’s Green Municipal Fund. Announced in May 2024, GCCC will support the planting of at least 1.2 million new trees across Canada by the end of March 2031 while offering funding, resources and coaching to communities.

The completed planting brought together Kawartha Conservation’s forestry and stewardship expertise and the City’s municipal partnership to enhance the area surrounding the pond. The trees will help expand local canopy cover, support wildlife habitat and complement the pond’s role in managing stormwater.

“Planting the right tree in the right place is essential, particularly around a stormwater pond where soil and moisture conditions can vary,” said Hunter Girdler, Forestry and Landowner Services Technician with Kawartha Conservation. “This planting is an investment in the site’s future. As the trees establish and mature, they can provide shade, create habitat and help protect the soil and water around them.”

Stormwater management ponds temporarily hold runoff from rainfall and snowmelt, allow sediment to settle and gradually release water into local waterways. Carefully planned tree planting around these facilities can complement their function while enhancing the surrounding landscape.

As the newly planted trees grow, they can intercept rainfall, encourage water to soak into the soil, store carbon and help moderate summer temperatures. Their roots can help stabilize soil and reduce erosion, while their branches and foliage provide shelter and food for wildlife.

These benefits build over time, making the completed planting the beginning of a longer-term contribution to watershed health and community resilience.

“Working with the City of Kawartha Lakes allowed us to bring our shared stewardship priorities into a practical project with lasting benefits,” said Danielle Marcoux-Hunter, Coordinator, Stewardship with Kawartha Conservation. “The planting work is complete, but the value of that investment will continue to grow. Partnerships like this help us create healthier natural spaces and strengthen the connection between municipal infrastructure and the watershed around it.”

“FCM is proud to support the City of Kawartha Lakes’s transformative tree-planting project,” said Tim Tierney, FCM President. “Through the Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative and with the support of the Government of Canada, we’re helping municipalities of every size get the right trees in the ground in the right places, creating cooler streets, cleaner air, and healthier neighbourhoods for decades to come.”

“Whether they are providing shade on a hot summer day, improving local green spaces, or bringing people together outdoors, trees make our communities better places to live,” said Secretary of State (Nature), the Honourable Nathalie Provost. “Together, we are helping communities expand their green spaces, providing lasting environmental and community benefits. The trees being planted will provide greater shade and comfort, and contribute to a healthier, more resilient and sustainable community.”

The project demonstrates how collaboration between a municipality and its conservation authority can enhance an existing stormwater facility while supporting broader environmental goals. Funding through Growing Canada’s Community Canopies helped turn that shared commitment into work on the ground.

Kawartha Conservation acknowledges the City of Kawartha Lakes for its partnership and the Government of Canada and FCM’s Green Municipal Fund for supporting the project.

About FCM’s Green Municipal Fund

FCM’s Green Municipal Fund (GMF) is a globally unique organization that leverages investments from the Government of Canada to provide funding and education to municipalities, helping them both reach net-zero and build resilient communities, while also delivering economic and social benefits such as jobs, housing and infrastructure. Since inception in 2000, it has helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3.02 million tonnes, funded nearly 60,000 person-years of employment and contributed $5.6 billion to the national GDP via the more than 2,850 approved projects. GMF manages approximately $2.4 billion in programs funded by the Government of Canada.

The Green Municipal Fund’s Growing Canada’s Community Canopies is a $291M initiative, ending in 2031, funded by the Government of Canada and delivered by FCM. Capacity building is enabled through a partnership with Tree Canada.

About Kawartha Conservation

Kawartha Conservation works with municipalities, landowners and community partners to protect and enhance watershed health through environmental monitoring, stewardship, conservation lands management and other watershed services.