MONTREAL, Nov. 23, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ – The Port of Montreal is joining forces with Soverdi and Alliance forêt urbaine to extend the canopy of greenery on its lands. As a first step, this new partnership will plant 375 trees. Accordingly, the Port of Montreal joins about a hundred private partners already active in the greening of private and institutional lands in Montreal.
Planting new trees is part of the Port of Montreal’s commitment to improve the quality of life of its employees and the neighbourhood. Not to mention take solid action for the environment. The Port of Montreal with Soverdi is developing a greening plan. The plan revolves around three strategic principles. Those are, the renaturalization of sites interfacing with the river for ecological conservation and riverbank stabilization. Also, consolidation of the Port’s institutional image through a formal redevelopment including a broad range of species and the optimal association of plants with neighbourhoods to create green filters composed of various plant textures.
Along with improving the landscape, the interventions will have effects that include reducing heat islands and improving air quality. For Malin Anagrius, Executive Director of Soverdi, “the involvement of major landowners is the key to carrying out greening projects whose tree cover generates real long-term benefits for the quality of life of a neighbourhood and for the health of its residents and visitors.”
This is one of the ways the Port of Montreal is leading the way. That’s in integrating responsible practices into its activities. It’s improving the existing development of its land. In addition, it wants to inspire other landowners to plant more trees so that their benefits spread throughout the district. ”
The importance of the Port of Montreal
The Port of Montreal is a unique and important economic engine for Montreal and Quebec. For the cities and districts along its borders, it is also a neighbour. An industrial neighbour, to be sure, but one that always strives to reduce its environmental footprint. Plus, to live as harmoniously as possible with the community. In keeping with this, we take solid steps to reduce our environmental footprint. Moreover, to beautify the spaces along our port facilities. At the Port of Montreal, the principles of sustainable development are at the heart of our operations. This partnership with Soverdi in the greening of Montreal’s landscape is a perfect fit with our approach,” said Sylvie Vachon, President and CEO of the Montreal Port Authority.
The planting of hundreds of trees at the Port of Montreal officially closes. That’s the 2017 planting season of Alliance forêt urbaine. It is also an opportunity to showcase the greening efforts. For instance, of many players who invest in the greening of private and institutional land. Moreover, those who are committed to enriching and protecting the urban forest. “We have an extremely ambitious goal. Namely to plant 300,000 trees by 2025, and we need the collaboration of all our partners to make it happen. Trees are necessary for our well-being, to clean the air, to cool down urban heat islands and to better manage rainwater. Residents’ health and quality of life are depend on them directly,” said Luc Ferrandez, the Executive Committee member responsible for large parks, sustainable development, green spaces and large projects for the City of Montreal.
Sources: Soverdi and Alliance forêt urbaine and the Montreal Port Authority
