Kamloops encourages residents to plant trees as coupon program boosts urban canopy growth

The Kamloops Tree Coupon Program has returned this spring, as the city continues efforts to expand its urban canopy and encourage residents to plant more trees.

The initiative, running from April 1 to June 10, offers residents coupons worth $20 or $50 towards eligible trees at local nurseries.

It supports Kamloops’ goal of increasing tree coverage from 15 per cent to 20 per cent under its Urban Forestry Management Strategy.

City officials say the programme has seen growing success, with more than 3,500 trees planted on private property in the past five years.

Brian Purvis from the city’s horticulture department said: “For us, it’s a great way to get trees in the ground on property that’s not tied to municipal lands.”

He explained that planting on private land avoids challenges faced on public property, including irrigation limits and underground infrastructure.

The programme has also improved participation by changing how coupons are distributed. “Now we’re getting upwards of a 90% utilization rate,” Purvis said, compared with around 50 per cent in earlier years.

The city is also encouraging residents to choose diverse and climate-resilient species.

The city is also advising against planting certain species near homes due to wildfire risk and is warning about invasive pests such as the emerald ash borer.