Northern Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Greater Sudbury will expand its long-running regreening program with the support of a $3-million nature funding agreement from Vale Base Metals, the city announced April 22.
The funding will support regreening work over the next 10 years under the guidance of the Vegetation Enhancement Technical Advisory Committee (VETAC), the city council’s advisory panel on regreening.
Since the 1990s, the city has partnered with Vale Base Metals on annual aerial seeding operations, which involve distributing seed and soil treatments by aircraft over targeted areas. The following year, municipal crews return to plant seedlings, many of which are supplied by the company.
Under the new agreement, the city said it will work more closely with Indigenous communities to incorporate Indigenous Knowledge into regreening practices. At least $250,000 of the funding has been allocated to support that work.
“Greater Sudbury’s regreening story is recognized around the world as a model of environmental recovery and collaboration,” Mayor Paul Lefebvre said in a statement. “This renewed commitment allows us to continue restoring our landscape, strengthening biodiversity and working alongside Indigenous communities.”
The city said the new funding will help maintain priorities outlined in the plan, including protecting and restoring natural areas and addressing climate change impacts, while regreening practices continue to evolve.
Gord Gilpin, director of Ontario operations for Vale Base Metals, said the company’s support will help accelerate regreening efforts, including aerial seeding and biodiversity initiatives.
The company has also supported implementation of the city’s Living Landscape: A Biodiversity Action Plan, introduced in 2009, which includes initiatives to restore ecosystems, replant vegetation and protect natural assets such as lakes and wetlands.
Greater Sudbury’s regreening program, launched in 1978, focuses on reintroducing vegetation to areas affected by historic industrial activity and is widely recognized as a leading example of large-scale environmental restoration.