REGINA — Millions of new trees are expected to take root across Saskatchewan through $24.5 million in federal funding aimed at restoring forests, improving habitats and supporting climate resilience.
At the announcement by Secretary of State for Nature Nathalie Provost at the Saskatchewan Science Centre, it was confirmed Saskatchewan would receive funding for eight projects through the 2 Billion Trees program.
“Together, these projects will restore habitats, protect biodiversity and build climate resilience while also supporting communities and good sustainable jobs,” Provost said.
“Here in Saskatchewan, these projects will protect the landscapes that define this province and create opportunities for future generations. Today shows what we can achieve when we work together, from coast to coast to coast, to protect what makes Canada extraordinary.”
The Saskatchewan project receiving the largest share of funding, nearly $7.9 million, is the Kitsaki Management Limited Partnership for the Lac La Ronge Indian Band Forest Restoration Project.
That will see the planting of 3.5 million trees and is aimed at restoring boreal forests in the north.
Alan Sklapsky, chief operating officer for Kitsaki Management, noted there have been “massive wildfires in northern Saskatchewan impacting the boreal forest.”
“This program allows us to enhance and expedite some of the reforestation that would normally occur naturally, that now allows us to enable local employment and grow trees in the forest from northern Saskatchewan.”
For 2026, Sklapsky said, they had planted 75,000 trees. Their commitment is for 3.5 million, but he said their plan is to “exceed that to plant roughly 4 million trees throughout northern Saskatchewan.”
As well, $327,842 in funding is going to SaskPower, which is planting nearly 100,000 additional trees throughout the province as part of a three-year initiative by 2027.
“These trees will improve wildlife habitat, increase biodiversity and help reduce erosion, dust and wind impacts near SaskPower's power generation facilities,” said Brad Crassweller, MLA for White City-Qu’Appelle. “More than 20 species have been planted, including native pine, spruce and aspen, creating a healthier and more resilient habitat for migratory birds, deer and other wildlife.”
He said the majority of this work, more than 72,000 trees, had been planted on reclaimed coal lands near Estevan, while “additional planting has strengthened shelter belts at Chinook and Boundary Dam power stations and supported erosion control efforts in the far north near Lake Athabasca.”
Crassweller said the project also builds on the legacy of the Shand Greenhouse, where all of the seedlings were grown.
“In fact, SaskPower's Shand Greenhouse has distributed approximately 16 million tree seedlings across Saskatchewan over the past 30 years. SaskPower is upgrading this facility this year, which will allow it to provide seedlings to the people and organizations of Saskatchewan for many years to come.”
Six other projects receiving funding, according to the federal government, include:
Métis Saskatchewan Home and Future Forest Project receives $6,960,450 to plant 618,000 trees to sequester carbon and expand tree coverage;
Saskatchewan Woodland Caribou Habitat Restoration is receiving $6,353,529 to plant 417,000 trees across 350 hectares;
Part 1 of Reforestation of Saskatchewan’s Provincial Parks receives $743,480 to plant 13,000 to 50,000 trees each year for eight years, for a total of 95,299;
Part 2 will receive $961,620 to plant 418,444 trees over eight years;
Cowessess Forest Growth Project receives $663,782 to plant 25,000 native tree species within Cowessess First Nation; and
Métis Nation – Saskatchewan 2BT Program received $625,031 to support capacity building for tree planting and also determine the viability of seed collection and a tree nursery, and it also supports the planting of more than 5,000 trees.
The projects were approved and funding was earmarked prior to last year’s budget announcement that the 2 Billion Trees program is being wound down.
Announced by the federal government earlier this spring is a new $3.8-billion program called A Force of Nature: Canada’s Strategy to Protect Nature.
Provost highlighted the national strategy Tuesday, saying that day’s funding announcement for Saskatchewan builds off that momentum.
She said the national strategy has a goal to “conserve habitats, restore ecosystems, strengthen Indigenous leadership and mobilize new investment in nature. It will also help us reach our goal of protecting 30 per cent of Canada's lands and waters by 2030.”
Provost said the strategy “rests on three pillars. First, protecting nature in Canada by conserving more land and water. Second, building Canada well by embedding nature into infrastructure and resource development. And third, valuing nature and mobilizing capital by integrating nature into economic decision-making and stimulating private investment.”
