Local community groups and organizations in Winnipeg can once again apply for funding to help grow the city’s tree canopy.
Applications for the 2025 Home Grown Grant, backed by the Government of Canada’s “Two Billion Trees Program,” opened this week.
The initiative, now in its third year, supports registered not-for-profit organizations in organizing tree-planting projects across the city.
The “Home Grown Tree Planting Program,” launched in 2022, received over $7 million in funding, spread over five years, to enhance Winnipeg’s green spaces. The program combines the grant with internal planting efforts to make a significant impact on the city’s tree canopy.
Winnipeg’s tree canopy is not just a beautiful feature of the city—it’s a crucial part of the urban ecosystem, the City of Winnipeg says. Trees provide essential benefits, including reducing air pollution, lowering urban temperatures, and supporting local wildlife. In addition, trees play a significant role in managing stormwater, reducing runoff, and improving water quality by filtering pollutants.
Successful applicants of the Home Grown Grant can receive up to $20,000 for tree-planting projects, with a focus on underserved areas and regions of higher poverty. These areas often have fewer trees, leading to what’s known as the “urban heat island” effect, where temperatures can be significantly higher than in greener parts of the city. By planting more trees in these areas, Winnipeg can help mitigate this effect and improve the overall quality of life for residents.
In addition to financial support, the grant provides successful applicants with one-on-one guidance from a City of Winnipeg arborist. This ongoing support is designed to ensure the long-term success of the tree-planting projects.
To be eligible, organizations must be incorporated or registered as not-for-profits and must have a designated planting site on public property within their community. The application deadline for the 2025 planting season is November 12, 2024.