Mississauga and its 2.1 million trees applauded by United Nations

Mississauga has again received international recognition for its commitment to keeping trees healthy and adding significantly to the number of trees across the city.

For the third consecutive year, the City of Mississauga has received the 2021 Tree Cities of the World designation from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the Arbor Day Foundation.

The designation program recognizes cities around the globe committed to ensuring that urban forests and trees are properly maintained, sustainably managed and celebrated.

Mississauga, which is home to 2.1 million trees and plans to add another one million by 2032, is among 18 Canadian cities and 138 worldwide to receive the designation.

“It’s important that we preserve and invest in the health and well-being of our trees. Trees play a critical role in fighting climate change and making Mississauga a livable city. They help improve air quality, reduce stormwater runoff, lower urban temperatures, clean water and provide habitat for wildlife in Mississauga,” said Stefan Szczepanski, Mississauga’s acting director of parks, forestry and environment. “We’re trying to address the environmental pressures that trees face like invasive species, urban redevelopment and severe weather events through our Urban Forest Management Plan and Invasive Species Management Plan and Implementation Strategy.”

The recognition of Mississauga’s efforts comes as the City is preparing to launch its aerial spray strategy on May 15 to protect trees from the invasive gypsy moth.

Spraying will take place in affected neighbourhoods until June 12.

“While our trees have historically shown that they can weather just about anything, ongoing threats like weather events, invasive species like Lymantria dispar dispar (LDD or gypsy moth) and Emerald Ash Borer as well as diseases like Oak Wilt are wearing down our trees,” said Brent Reid, the City’s acting manager of forestry. “The actions we take now as a city and community will help protect our trees from more damage and maintain their survival.”

To receive the Tree Cities of the World designation, Mississauga officials say the City met five core standards:

• establishing responsibility for the care of trees
• setting rules for managing trees
• having an updated inventory of local trees resources
• allocating resources for tree management
• celebrating achievements for trees.

The City notes that having a variety of tree species, as Mississauga does, is important.

“Having many species of trees like Maple, Ash, Spruce, Poplar and Oak trees contribute to the forest’s resistance and adaptability to change,” said Szczepanski. “It helps protect our urban forest from becoming vulnerable to damage caused by diseases, invasive species and climate change.”