Subsidy for the greening of institutions, businesses and industries

Urban heat islands are areas where the ambient temperature is higher than the surrounding areas due to the significant presence of roads, sidewalks, parking lots, and buildings. They are often found in sectors where there is a majority of institutions, businesses and industries (ICIs). One of the solutions of reducing heat islands is to increase the urban canopy by planting trees. The greening of ICI plays a key role in improving air quality and reducing heat islands, thereby improving the quality of life of the workers and residents who frequent the premises. It also promotes well-being and reduces the stress levels of workers while beautifying the area, creating cool spots, saving on air conditioning costs, and increasing property value.

The subsidy is intended for owners of institutional, commercial and industrial properties. It covers up to 50% of tree purchase costs, to a maximum of $2,000. Other plants may be covered by the grant. However, their added value to the project must be justified. The subsidy, subject to available funds, is available at all times, with the reference year extending from January 1st to December 31st. Applications are processed for the year in which they are submitted, and the reimbursement amount is calculated before taxes.

Examples of possible greening:

• Small high density wooded areas: Creation of a micro-forest, which is defined as an ultra-dense forest arrangement, to accelerate the establishment of a wooded area resembling a mature forest, which generally covers a small area (a minimum of 100 m² is recommended) within a green space heavily disturbed by human activities (often created from a grassy surface). This type of landscaping requires: good soil preparation; a diversified number of species; a planting density of varied native species (red oak, silver maple, shrubs, American hazelnut, alder serviceberry, birch, larch, black chokeberry, white elderberry, etc.); a very high planting density (an average of three plants per square metre); covering the soil with mulch after planting to limit weeding and conserve moisture; planting native trees and shrubs at a very high planting density (an average of three plants per square metre). ); a very high planting density (an average of three plants per square metre); covering the soil with mulch after planting to limit weeding and conserve moisture; planting trees and shrubs in pots of at least 1 liter; maintenance, watering and weeding for a minimum of three years.
• Green parking area: planting of medium (height of 8 to 20 meters at maturity) to large (height of over 20 meters at maturity) trees and dense, varied vegetation in the planted areas of parking lots. Since these vast mineralized spaces are not ideal for plants (de-icing salts, damages and breakages caused by vehicles, limited space for root growth and access to rainwater, etc.), greening such areas must be carried out with great care to ensure the successful establishment of plants during the first years, and possibly allow them to reach their full maturity.
• Rest area: Planting of wide-spread trees to create shade near rest areas on the site for employees or students in a school setting.

To submit a project

Every project must first be submitted by email to the Environment Division to see if it is eligible. Planting work may begin once the project’s eligibility has been confirmed. Once the planting project is completed, project completion documents must be sent to the Environment Division, which reserves the right to inspect the site before paying the subsidy to validate that the planting plan submitted has been carried out in accordance with the criteria.

Project submission documents:

• Duly completed application form to request a subsidy for the greening of institutions, businesses and industries
• Planting plan showing project location, area planted, name, arrangement and format of plant species.
• Before and after photos of plantation site
• Proxy or agreement signed by the owner (if applicable)

Project completion documents:

• Up to date planting plan (only if latter has been modified since the initial planting plan was submitted)
• Proof of purchases
• Photos of site after work has been carried out
• Any other document deemed necessary

Project eligibility criteria

• Aim to reduce a heat island by planting trees.

• Include a minimum of tree planting; the addition of other vegetation must be justified.

• The trees planted must be woody plants with a single trunk that branches out at a certain height from the ground, with a minimum height at maturity of five metres.

• Be composed of diversified plant species well adapted to the site (varied species and good hardiness).
  The space chosen must ensure the plantation's longevity.

• Be located in Vaudreuil-Dorion, on land zoned public, commercial or industrial.

• Be planted on land with the written and signed consent of the owner(s).

• All medium and large trees must be planted at a minimum distance of two metres from any main building or its drainage pipes; one metre from the street right-of-way, but never within the visibility triangle; two metres from any fire hydrant.

• The chosen location must demonstrate the absence of underground infrastructures that could be damaged by the planting. To this end, it is possible to request a plan from info-excavation and the City of Vaudreuil-Dorion to determine the location of underground infrastructures.

• Plantings that are mandatory by virtue of a notice or a statement of offence under current regulations are not eligible for this subsidy.

Conditions

Species of the Fraxinus genus (ash) do not qualify for the subsidy, as well as the following invasive, exotic species:

• Norway maple (Acer platanoides)
• Alder Buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula)
• European Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)
• Siberian Elm (Ulmus pumila)
• Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata)
• Common hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium)
• Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
• Swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum rossicum)
• Black swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum nigrum)
• Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera)
• Bohemian knotweed (Reynoutria ×bohemica)
• Giant knotweed (Reynoutria sachalinensis)
• Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica)
• Common reed (Phragmites australis)

The following species do not qualify for the subsidy unless they are to be planted along the shoreline:

• Bay willow (Salix pentandra)
• Weeping willos (Salix alba tristis)
• White poplar (Populus alba)
• Eastern cottonwood (Populus Deltoides)
• Lombardy poplar (Populus nigra italica)
• Quaking aspen (Populus Tremuloides)
• Silver maple (Acer saccharinum)
• Box elder (Acer negundo)
• American elm (Ulmus americana)

Mandatory plantations under a construction permit or a notice of violation of current regulations are not eligible for this subsidy.

Eligible expenses

Only expenses related to the purchase of trees are eligible for the grant. Trees must be purchased within the 12 months preceding the application. Other plants may be covered by the grant. However, their added value to the project must be justified. Whenever possible, we encourage you to purchase from a business located within the Vaudreuil-Soulanges MRC.

Payments

Once analysis of the completion documents is performed, a payment will be made by cheque to the project applicant. The team from the Environment Section reserves the right to inspect the plantation before paying the subsidy to verify that the planting plan submitted has been carried out in accordance with the criteria.

For any information concerning the subsidy: 450 455-3371, option 1 or enviro-subventions@ville.vaudreuil-dorion.qc.ca