Tree Canada Launches Maritime Hurricane Releaf to Replace Destroyed Trees

Ottawa, October 16, 2003 - The President of the Tree Canada Foundation, Jeff Monty today announced the establishment of Maritime Hurricane ReLeaf, a fund to help the people of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Juan during September 28 and 29, 2003.

Packing winds of over 150 km/hour the hurricane was responsible for the deaths of two people and deprived another 300,000 of electricity for up to a week. One of the most visible effects of the storm was the downing of tens of thousands of trees in Halifax, Truro, New Glasgow, Charlottetown and many other Maritime towns. Canadians, including ex-Maritimers as well as corporations have been contacting the Foundation to ask how they can become involved in the recovery.

"The loss of trees many of which were older and lent a unique character to these Maritime communities is a terrible loss", said Jeff Monty, "Our Foundation is pledged to help the people and the urban forest recover from this incredible devastation", he said.

The storm went directly over Halifax. As a first port of entry for many immigrants to Canada, and as one of Canada's best forested cities, the loss of its trees is particularly sad. "The loss of a number of rare specimen trees including a 14-foot diameter European beech dating back 160 years is particularly tragic", said Stephen King a well known Canadian parks and urban forest manager who works for the Halifax Regional Municipality. "We are very grateful that the people of Canada and the Tree Canada Foundation are stepping forward to help our urban forests in a time of great need", he said.

Tree Canada has previously helped the communities of Saguenay, Québec during the floods in 1996; eastern Ontario, Québec and New Brunswick after the Ice Storms of 1998; and the people of Saskatchewan whose urban tree losses to Dutch Elm Disease warranted the planting of other species from 2000 to the present. Earlier this month the Foundation launched a program to help the residents of interior British Columbia recover from the devastating wildfires of the Summer of 2003.

The Tree Canada Foundation is a not-for-profit charitable organization established to encourage Canadians to plant and care for trees in urban and rural environments with the goal of helping reduce the harmful effects of carbon dioxide emissions. To date the Foundation has engaged more than 60 top Canadian companies and government agencies to support the planting of over 75 million trees, the regreening of over 300 schoolyards, five national urban forestry conferences and other efforts to sensitize Canadians to the benefits of planting and maintaining trees.

Individual and corporate donations to Maritime Hurricane ReLeaf can be made directly through our website or through their office.

For further information please contact:
Jeff Monty, Tree Canada - (613) 567-5545