Green Municipal Fund supports Ingersoll Community Tree Planting
September 3, 2026
The Town of Ingersoll, in partnership with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA), is pleased to announce the Ingersoll Park Naturalization and Riparian Enhancement Project. This three-year project will see 4,315 native trees and shrubs planted by local students and community volunteers in six Ingersoll parks.
The project is made possible through generous support from the Growing Canada’s Community Canopy program, an initiative of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund.
“FCM is proud to support the Town of Ingersoll and the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority in this exciting tree-planting project,” said Tim Tierney, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. “This project is part of a $67.8 million investment, announced here in Ingersoll, through the Green Municipal Fund and the Government of Canada. Trees provide more than just shade – they protect us from floodwaters, improve our air quality, and make our communities better places to live, work, and play for generations to come.”
“This incredible investment shows what happens when we work as a team. I want to extend my deepest thanks to FCM, the federal government, and our dedicated teams at both the Town and the UTRCA for their seamless collaboration,” said Ingersoll Mayor and UTRCA Chair, Brian Petrie. “Rooted in partnership, this project will bring over 4,000 trees to Ingersoll. It will further our shared priorities and is truly a win-win that enhances our neighbourhoods today, strengthens the resilience of our watershed, and ensures future generations inherit a healthier, greener community.”
The project will add more than 2.9 hectares of new tree cover to under-used Ingersoll parkland, increasing biodiversity and riverside habitat. Replacing managed lawn with trees will also reduce grass mowing, sequester carbon, and improve air quality.
“We are involving more than 1,800 local students and community volunteers in the tree planting project,” said Brad Hertner, UTRCA Community Partnership Coordinator. “Two Row Creeations will contribute Indigenous perspectives and traditional ecological knowledge, by sharing learning about the cultural and ecological significance of the trees being planted.”
The UTRCA will oversee the tree planting and provide curriculum-linked education on the benefits of tree planting, habitat creation, and ecosystem health.
Other partners include:
- Two Row Creeations
- Thames Valley District School Board
- London District Catholic School Board
- Local businesses including ArcelorMittal
Contact: Brad Hertner, Community Partnership Coordinator, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, or Emily Riepert, Communications Officer, Town of Ingersoll