To encourage institutional, commercial and industrial (ICI) property owners to increase the greening of their property by landscaping and planting vegetation, the City of Vaudreuil-Dorion is announcing a new environmental grant on Earth Day.

The aim of this grant is to reduce urban heat islands, and covers up to 50% of plant purchase costs, to a maximum of $2,000. This financial assistance is also part of the city's efforts to adapt to climate change.

For 2024, five projects may be financed through this program. Four types of greening are eligible: small, high-density woodlots, landscaping, parking lot greening and tree planting.

"Heat islands are areas where the surface temperature is higher than in the surrounding area due to the presence of a large number of mineralized environments and the absence of cool elements. Roads, sidewalks, large parking areas and certain types of roofing contribute to these heat islands. On a hot day, the commercial, industrial and institutional sectors of our city show the greatest temperature differences from wooded areas. I encourage ICIs to take advantage of this new subsidy and increase their planted area. Combined with the efforts the city is already making to increase its urban canopy, the greening of these sectors will, over time, reduce the heat islands in these areas and improve the quality of life of the people who frequent them," explains Christine Ouimet, Director of the Engineering and Environment Department.

Before undertaking any planting work, homeowners are invited to contact the Environment Division to find out if they are eligible for the grant.

The City of Vaudreuil-Dorion offers various environmental incentives, including for the purchase of washable diapers, zero-waste products, the installation of recharging stations and much more.

Full details are available at ville.vaudreuil-dorion.qc.ca, under the Environment section.