After the devastating derecho in May, 2022 many local farmers and woodlot owners lost hundreds or even thousands of trees. Although some help was available from the province for landowners in the United Counties of Prescott and Russell, the province refused to aid those whose land lies within the City of Ottawa boundaries. Now some financial assistance is available for reforestation from South Nation Conservation. SNC has partnered with the City of Ottawa, UCPR and the federal government under its 2 Billion Trees program. Applications will be accepted from landowners who'd had 1000+ trees.

The program is aimed at restoring damaged woodlots to prepare properties for tree planting. Subsidized funding will support clean up, site preparation, and tree planting and tending costs. Because of the volume of work and availability of contractors and nursery stock the project will last for five years (2023-2027). The application form is at www.nation.on.ca/derecho.

Here are more details from SNC forester Caroline Goulet.