HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnv 2009-09-17 - Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests - Cool Communities Rebate Program~~~
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR RELEASE SEPTEMBER 7, 2009
Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests
Pilot Project Brings Shade to Homes in (Municipality)
This fall, a new pilot project will provide the residents of (Municipality} with an exclusive chance to
save money, conserve energy and help the environment all at the same time. Modeled after a
program that has brought over 13 000 residential trees to the Greater Toronto Area since 1996, the
project invites homeowners to visit local nurseries, where they will receive a rebate on purchases of
Southern Ontario's beautiful native trees and shrubs.
The project, aptly named the "Cool Communities Residential Shade Tree Planting Program", is aimed
at encouraging homeowners to plant trees for energy conservation. Cooling homes through shading
has significant long-term potential to reduce peak energy demand in Ontario. Shade trees planted on
the southern and western sides of a home can save 25-40%, and reduce peak energy demand in
summer by up to 30%, according to a study by the University of California Berkeley. By planting a
tree, homeowners also improve their neighbourhoods by cleaning the air, decreasing pollution,
attracting pollinators, and increasing biodiversity.
The project is being launched as a pilot by Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests (LEAF),
an award-winning, Toronto-based urban forest non-profit organization well known for its successful
Backyard Tree Planting Program. LEAF has been working in close cooperation with local
municipalities and green organizations to get the project off the ground.
(Feel free to insert a paragraph here about your municipality/group's projects, your involvement with
this project, and why you are supportive of it - adding a quote will make it even more effective!)
According to Michelle Bourdeau, LEAF's Manager of Residential Planting Programs, (Municipality)
was chosen specifically because of its positive track record in taking on new environmentally-
conscious initiatives. "Residents here tend to have a good understanding of environmental issues,
and we want to assist them in greening their communities. We're offering financial incentives for
residents who want to plant native trees and shrubs and increase (Municipality)'s tree canopy."
The project is funded by the Ontario Power Authority's Conservation Fund which funds conservation
pilot projects that encourage homeowners to make cost-effective energy conservation decisions. For
more energy conservation initiatives, visit www.everykilowattcounts.ca. For more information on the
Cool Communities project, including a list of participating nurseries, visit
www.yourleaf.org/coolcommunities.
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Media Contact:
Robin Sutherland
Manager, Marketing & Community Outreach ~ w 416.413.9244 x 16 ~ c 416.951.4440 ~ robin@leaftoronto.org
Michelle Bourdeau
Manager, Residential Planting Initiatives (w 416.413.9244 x 11 ~ c 647.678.4888 ~ michelle@leaftoronto.org
LEAF 609 Christie St, Suite 253 Toronto ON M6G 4C7
496-413-9244 www.leaftoronto.org I F 2 - 1
Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests
Cool Communities Rebate Program: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who are the participating retailers?
Royal City Nursery -Guelph
Meadowville Garden Centre -Guelph (2 locations)
Native Plant Source -Breslau
Sheridan Nursery -Kitchener
Grand Valley Garden Centre -Kitchener
2. How does the program work?
At a participating retailer, the customer picks out the eligible native trees and shrubs that they
would like with the help of a selection guide and retail staff. To receive the rebate, they fill out a
quick survey and sign an agreement at the Cool Communities Information stand and give that
form to the cashier. The rebate will be deducted from their total at the register. The customer will
be contacted within a year by the non-profit organization LEAF to fill out a phone survey. LEAF
may also visit the trees and shrubs for afollow-up evaluation.
3. What is the goal of the program?
The main focus of this program is to encourage and help homeowner to plant trees and shrubs
strategically around their homes to reduce energy needs. This will save the homeowner money
and improve the environment. Trees also have many other benefits including storing carbon,
cleaning the air, providing shade, creating habitat for birds and butterflies. and improving overall
health and well-being.
4. When does the program run?
September 12th &13tn and 19th& 20th during the hours of operations of each participating nursery.
5. How much are the rebates?
Customers receive $20 off eligible trees with a regular retail price of $100 or greater and $5 off
eligible shrubs with a regular price of $20 or greater.
6. How many rebates can they get?
There is a limit of 5 rebates per household. This can be a combination of trees and/or shrubs.
7. Who is funding this program?
LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests) is delivering the program with funding
from the Ontario Power Authority (OPA).
LEAF 609 Christie St, Suite 253 Toronto ON M6G 4G7
416-413-9244 www. yourleaf org
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1 Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests
8. Who is LEAF?
LEAF is an environmental non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and improving our urban
forest. Since 1996 we have planted over 13,000 native trees and shrubs in residential backyards.
LEAF's Cool Communities project is supported by the Ontario Power Authority's Conservation
Fund, which funds electricity conservation pilot projects. The Cool Communities project is
associated with the Every Kilowatt Counts campaign, which gives Ontarians the tools they need
to-make cost effective energy conservation decisions.
9. Where can I get more information?
Check out the website: www.yourleaf.ora/CoolCommunities
Or Call: 416-413-9244 "
10. What species are eligible for a rebate? (Limited to nursery availability}
TREES:
Freeman maple (Acer freemanii)
black maple (Acernigrum)
red maple (Acer rubrum)
sugar maple (Acer. saccharum)
silver maple (Acersaccharinum)
serviceberry (Amelanchierspp.)
paper birch (Betula papyrifera)
blue beech (Carpinus caroliniana)
hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)
eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis)
gray dogwood (Corpus racemosa)
honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos)
kentucky coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus)
black walnut (luglans nigra)
tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
ironwood (Ostrya virginiano}
swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor}
bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa)
red oak (Quercus rubra)
basswood (Tilia americana)
white spruce (Picea glauca}
white pine (Pines strobes)
eastern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis)
eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)
SHRUBS:
serviceberry (Amelanchierspp.}
black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)
pagoda dogwood (Carpus alternifolia)
gray dogwood (Corpus sericea)
red osier dogwood (Corpus racemosa)
American Hazelnut {Corylus americana)
common witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiano)
St. John's wort (Hypercium kalmianum)
Bayberry (Hypericum kalmianum)
common ninebark {Physocarpus opulifolius)
fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatic)
pussy willow (Salix discolor)
elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)
arrowwood (Viburnum dentotum}
nannyberry (Viburnum IentagoJ
highbush cranberry (Viburnum trilobum)
LEAF 601 Christie St, Suite 253 Toronto ON M6G 4C7
416-493-9244 www.yourteaf.org
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