Festival Hydro Expands Tree Power Partnership to St. Marys with UTRCA and Town of St. Marys

Festival Hydro is pleased to announce its partnership with the Town of St. Marys and the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) for the 2026 St. Marys Tree Power Program.

The UTRCA's Tree Power Program provides affordable native hardwood trees to watershed residents through partnerships with municipalities and community sponsors. While the program is entering its fifth year in St. Marys, 2026 marks Festival Hydro's first year supporting the initiative in the community.

Beginning Tuesday, August 18 at 9:00 a.m., St. Marys residents can purchase a tree through the UTRCA's online Tree Power store. Trees will be available for pickup at the St. Marys Municipal Operations Centre on Saturday, October 3.

Festival Hydro is proud to support programs that promote environmental sustainability and energy conservation throughout the communities it serves. Strategically planted native trees can provide shade, improve air quality, enhance local green spaces, and help reduce residential energy use over time.

The Tree Power Program also complements Festival Hydro's ongoing efforts to promote energy conservation through Ontario's Save on Energy programs. Properly placed trees can help provide natural shade around homes, reducing cooling demands during warmer months and contributing to long-term energy savings. Together, energy efficiency initiatives and community tree planting efforts empower residents to lower their environmental footprint while helping to build more sustainable and resilient communities.

"Supporting the Tree Power Program aligns with Festival Hydro's commitment to sustainability and community engagement," said Jeff Graham, President and CEO of Festival Hydro. "This partnership encourages residents to take meaningful action by planting native trees that provide lasting environmental and community benefits. We are proud to work alongside the Town of St. Marys and the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority to help create greener communities and support local environmental stewardship."

Festival Hydro has proudly supported the Tree Power Program in Stratford since 2021 and is excited to expand its involvement to St. Marys. Through this new partnership, Festival Hydro, the Town of St. Marys, and the UTRCA are working together to encourage tree planting, enhance local green spaces, and increase the positive environmental impact of the program.

"We are really pleased to have Festival Hydro partner with us in St. Marys," said Emily Chandler, Communications and Marketing Specialist with the UTRCA. "We have worked with Festival Hydro on the Stratford Tree Power Program since it began in 2021. To have them expand their support to St. Marys is a wonderful boost to the program and helps increase its impact."

For more information about the Tree Power Program or to purchase a tree, visit the UTRCA Tree Power website.

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