Hon. Robert Black: Honourable senators, I rise today to highlight Wellington County’s Green Legacy Programme.

In 2004, the Green Legacy Programme was a simple idea in my home community to plant 150,000 trees to celebrate Wellington County’s one hundred and fiftieth anniversary. I’m proud to share that today, this initiative has become the largest municipal tree-planting program in North America. I myself have been using the Green Legacy Programme since its inception, during which time I have planted thousands of trees on my property. This year, I planted 250 trees, with another 25 or so to go next weekend, and then I’ll be done. If you’re interested in seeing this program in action, you can find photos of this season’s trees on my social media.

At this time I’d like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere congratulations to Wellington County and the Green Legacy Programme on reaching an amazing milestone of 3 million trees distributed, free of charge, to county residents and community groups since it began 18 years ago. Through education and involvement in the program, the people of Wellington County have contributed to increasing our county’s forest cover to a healthy level and creating a green infrastructure, which will ensure an ongoing environmental benefit and help the county to adapt to climate change.

In fact, the Green Legacy Programme caught the attention of the United Nations. In 2010, the program was recognized under the Billion Tree Campaign for their help in fighting climate change.

At this time, I would also like to thank the team behind the program, including county councillors who annually commit funds: Rob Johnson, program manager, and his staff; and the many volunteers who pack trees throughout the winter in preparation for distribution at the Bradford Whitcombe Green Legacy Tree Nursery, located in Puslinch, Ontario, and the Northern Green Legacy Tree Nursery, located in Damascus, Ontario. Their efforts to help make Wellington County greener are truly making a difference.

In Canada, we are lucky to have a robust tree canopy, not only in rural communities but also in towns and cities. Trees provide beauty and shade for communities and improve water, soil and air quality, supporting natural resource conservation and increased wildlife habitats. According to Natural Resources Canada, our forests have already moderated climate change by absorbing about one quarter of the carbon emitted by human activities such as burning of fossil fuels and changing of land uses over the past four decades.

Honourable colleagues, there’s a popular Chinese proverb that says, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” We know the environment remains a significant political, social and economic issue that involves all levels of government. Tree planting is an easy and effective way to improve our environment from coast to coast to coast.

This weekend, for your information, I planted a tree for each of you, having planted 89 trees this Saturday. If you come for a visit, I’ll be happy to show you your tree. With that, I encourage all of you to consider taking the time to plant a tree or trees, whether it is through a municipally organized program like Green Legacy or on your own. We can all contribute to the fight against climate change.

Thank you, meegwetch.