Mother Tree
Initiative
Supporting land stewardship and conservation through Mother Tree Sponsorship
Forested areas are one of the most at-risk ecosystems on the island, so much so that the federal government recently declared PEI’s forested landscape a priority for protection.
It’s hard to eloquently sum up the connection that each of us feels to trees and the forest. Post-Tropical storm Fiona certainly gave us all pause to consider such feelings. The number of trees lost was devastating.
When viewed from a practical lens, trees provide shelter, structure, windbreaks and a feeling of being rooted. They provide products for building and heating. Trees remind us of play, of adventure and of home. There are some trees however, that we should be paying particular attention to for their regenerative qualities, the matriarchs of the forest – the Mother Trees.
Mother Trees in the Wabanaki-Acadian Forest are impactful in their age and stature. They hold ecological significance as seed and nursery providers for new generations of their species.
The newly launched Mother Tree initiative will highlight these incredible trees, their influence on the natural regeneration of our forests, and as seed providers give individuals and organizations an opportunity to honour their importance through sponsorship.
Shortly after Fiona hit, the INT stewardship team canvassed many of our natural areas to identify species and forests of note where mother trees were present and in need of protection. So far staff have identified mother trees in 26 of our natural areas.
Money raised will go to support the ongoing stewardship efforts of the trees themselves, the natural areas that they live in, as well as the acquisition of other impacted forested properties that will benefit from mother tree saplings as part of their recovery.
Islanders and Island businesses are being invited to sponsor mother trees for three-year tenures. There are three levels of participation ranging from $2,500 to $7,500 annually.
Not every species is found in every forested area and often two or more species are prevalent in the same forest. The natural areas are divided into three categories: those with no footpaths, those with private footpaths and those with public footpaths. Recognition levels also increase with the amount of sponsorship.
Eight species of mother tree have been identified across the Island and include Eastern Hemlock, Red Oak, Red Maple, White Ash, White Pine, Eastern White Cedar, Yellow Birch and Sugar Maple.
This program is tailored to those who want to pledge a significant gift and has been well-received by businesses, social clubs and individuals alike and has already been championed by local businesses such as Bookmark in Charlottetown.
Thanks to our donors and funding partners, INT has been able to acquire and protect nearly 10,000 acres of ecologically important land on Prince Edward Island. Stewarding land responsibly in the context of protection forever is a significant undertaking. It lies at the heart of Island Nature Trust’s mandate for land conservation. With nearly 100 natural areas across PEI, we cannot work to retain and restore ecological integrity on these lands without significant support from Islanders.
Sponsor a Mother Tree
Mother Trees will be located in natural areas where our Stewardship team has
identified them as key caregivers in their specific ecosystems.
Sponsorship pledges will go towards our annual stewardship goals and are for a
period of 3 years.
Starting at $2,500.00 annually, our Mother Tree Initiative will directly impact the
health of our forest ecosystems; a benefit to all Islanders.
Tier 1
Tier 1 Mother Trees will be located within INT natural areas with no public or private footpath systems.
Tier 2
Tier 2 Mother Trees will be located within INT natural areas that have a private footpath system.
Tier 3
Tier 3 Mother Trees will be located within INT natural areas with a publicly accessible footpath system.
Learn More About:
Mother Trees
Mother Trees in the Wabanaki-Acadian forest are elder trees highly regarded for their important seed-producing abilities. Elder trees provide an anchor for the diverse structure of the many-sized trees in their communities. These elders are important not only as habitat for the variety of flora and fauna living in the forest, but also for the longevity of the forest itself, along with the people who depend on the woods for their culture and livelihood.
Tier 1
For an annual gift of $2,500.00 each year for three years, you will receive:
- A feature in the quarterly INT Magazine and a mention in the annual Impact Report.
- A framed photo of your Mother Tree to display.
- Recognition on our social media channels.
Tier 1 Mother Trees will be located within INT natural areas with no public or private footpath systems.
Tier 2
For your annual gift of $5,000.00 each year for three years, you will receive:
- A feature in the quarterly INT Magazine and a mention in the annual report.
- On-site signage recognizing your contribution and commitment to land conservation and management.
- Invitation to all major donor events.
Tier 2 Mother Trees will be located within INT natural areas that have a private footpath system.
Tier 3
For your annual gift of $7,500.00 a year for three years, you will receive:
- Same benefits as Tier 1 + 2.
- A media release to recognize your contribution.
- A guided tour of the site where your tree is located, and information on the ecological significance of the Mother Tree.
Tier 3 Mother Trees will be located within INT natural areas with a publicly accessible footpath system.
Species of Mother Trees in our natural areas
Forested landscapes are the most vulnerable to loss in Prince Edward Island,
according to the federal and provincial governments. In PEI, just 4.9% of our lands
are protected. In addition, 87% of our land is privately owned, so protecting forests
and returning them to a more diverse, resilient ecosystem is challenging.
INT continues to search for resources and diverse knowledge to lead
by example in forest stewardship. Priority actions include sustainable silviculture
work needed in many of our impacted forest lands and instating early detection
protocols for invasive forest plants and insects.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will I receive a charitable tax receipt when I sponsor a Mother Tree?
A: Individuals will receive a charitable tax receipt for their annual sponsorship. Corporations will receive a receipt for their annual payment (not a charitable tax receipt), which can then be claimed as a business expense.
Q: How long is my sponsorship commitment?
A: Each sponsorship is for a three-year term with three equal annual payments (Tier 1: $2,500 x 3 years = $7,500; Tier 2: $5,000 x 3 years = $15,000; Tier 3: $7,500 x 3 = $22,500).
Q: What if I want to sponsor the mother tree for more than three years?
A: As a sponsor, INT will provide you with the first right of refusal to sponsor the same mother tree following the completion of your three-year commitment.
Q: Am I able to sponsor a tree in a natural area that I don’t see listed?
A: At this time our conservation team has identified trees in the sites listed exclusively.