Connect with us

Technology

Government of Canada and FCM invest $67.8 million in urban forestry projects through the Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative

Published

15 hours ago

on

TOWN OF INGERSOLL, ON, Sept. 3, 2026 /CNW/ — Trees are an effective tool for helping communities fight climate change while improving air quality, conserving energy and enhancing local ecosystems. For municipalities across Canada, planting the right trees in the right places strengthens local climate resilience, increasing quality of life where people live and work.

Today, the Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) announced an investment of $67,801,063 to support new urban forestry projects across Canada.

Through a $64,166,393 investment, approximately 473,000 new trees will be planted as part of 165 tree-planting projects. In addition, $3,634,670 will fund 31 plans and studies focused on the sustainable expansion and resilience of community forests and trees, including urban forest management plans.

Projects are located across British Columbia, the Prairies, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada. New tree planting will help reduce flood risks by absorbing and slowing rainfall, protect buildings by acting as windbreaks, and create employment opportunities. Urban forestry plans and studies funding will increase the capacity of local governments to strategically manage canopies while enhancing community and forest resilience, ecological health and social equity.

Notable projects include:

The Town of Ingersoll, in partnership with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, will plant 4,315 native trees and shrubs across six park locations, covering more than 2.9 hectares of land. The Ingersoll Park Naturalization and Riparian Enhancement Project will expand tree canopy in underused park areas, increasing biodiversity and creating valuable wildlife habitat. Trees planted along local creeks will provide shade, enhance riparian ecosystems, and help reduce erosion. By converting sections of managed lawn into naturalized areas, the project will support carbon sequestration, improve air quality, and reduce maintenance requirements.ReForest Woolwich, in partnership with the Township of Woolwich, ON, will plant 22,660 trees across private and public lands. The project contributes to a long-term initiative to double tree canopy within the Township of Woolwich by 2070, contributing to reduced urban heat effects, increased biodiversity, and enhanced community sustainability and ecological stewardship.The City of Thunder Bay will plant 33,550 trees as part of a comprehensive strategy to strengthen urban and natural forest ecosystems. This initiative focuses on addressing critical canopy gaps and degraded habitats through targeted planting across city parkettes, waterfront lands, wetland areas, and urban infrastructure. Planting will be focused in low-canopy areas, particularly those impacted by emerald ash borer, using native, disease-resistant species adapted to the region’s growing conditions. The project is expected to deliver broad environmental, community and economic benefits, including improved air and water quality, enhanced biodiversity and climate resilience, stormwater management, urban beautification, and increased use and enjoyment of the Thunder Bay’s urban and greenspaces.Project Forest, in partnership with the City of Wetaskiwin, AB, will plant 8,660 trees on a former construction landfill as part of its rewilding initiative. Guided by the Louis Bull Tribe, the new forest will serve as a living testament to rewilding and Reconciliation. The site is being transformed into a place where residents of both Maskwacis and Wetaskiwin can connect with nature and with one another.The City of Vancouver, B.C., will plant 16,198 trees in Vanier Park Forest and Jericho Beach Park. Both sites were selected because work is needed to improve their ecological health by planting trees that more closely reflect native forest ecosystems.The Sky Trails Association and the Rural Municipality of Loreburn No. 254 will plant 2,000 seedlings along Lake Diefenbaker to help restore landscapes previously cleared for large‑scale agriculture. The project includes essential infrastructure such as wildlife‑protection fencing and irrigation to support seedling survival on a seven‑acre site, enable future planting, reduce shoreline erosion, and increase carbon capture.In Quebec, Soverdi is working with the City of Longueuil to increase urban canopy cover to 30 per cent by 2040, reduce heat islands through greening and demineralization, and strengthen ecological connectivity across the city. To achieve this target, Longueuil plans to plant 125,000 trees and shrubs between 2025 and 2040, including 50,000 on municipal land. This will increase the city’s canopy cover by seven percentage points.The City of Selkirk, MB, will develop an Urban Forest Strategy that will guide sustainable urban forest management. The strategy will increase tree canopy in low cover areas, enhance biodiversity, and strengthen climate resilience while preparing for threats such as Dutch elm disease and Emerald Ash Borer. As the city expands, the strategy will support equitable access to trees and green infrastructure.The Stewardship Association of Municipalities Inc., in partnership with the Town of Stephenville Crossing and the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Wildlife Division, will develop an Urban Tree Inventory and Community Engagement Plan. They will use field surveys and GIS analysis to identify priority tree planting locations. Drawing on this inventory, a tailored community engagement plan will be created.

Funding for these projects is provided by the Government of Canada and delivered through FCM’s Growing Canada’s Community Canopies (GCCC) initiative. Announced in May 2024, GCCC will support the planting of at least 1.2 million new trees across Canada by the end of March 2031 while offering funding, resources and coaching to communities. In addition to today’s announcement, $16,886,020 in funding has been invested through GCCC, delivering 77,519 new trees.

For more information about the funded projects, please see the backgrounder.

Quotes

 “FCM is proud to work alongside the Government of Canada to help local governments plant the right trees in the right places. This $67.8 million investment will bring hundreds of thousands of new trees to Canadian communities, for the benefit of residents today and for generations to come. We congratulate all funding recipients and look forward to seeing the lasting impact of these projects nationwide.”

— Tim Tierney, FCM President

 “Trees are among the most practical and cost-effective tools municipalities have to build healthier, more climate-resilient communities. Through Growing Canada’s Community Canopies, FCM and the Government of Canada are helping communities reduce flood and heat risks, improve air quality and biodiversity, and strengthen local capacity to plan and manage their urban forests for the long term. Just as importantly, this program is helping communities of all sizes build greener, more equitable neighbourhoods for generations to come.”

 — Carole Saab, FCM CEO

“Urban forests are essential to building healthier, more beautiful and more livable communities. They improve air quality, support wildlife, strengthen climate resilience and create welcoming spaces that bring people together and connect us with nature. Today’s investment will help communities across Canada grow and protect their tree canopies, while creating greener, more resilient spaces where people can live, work and thrive.”

— Peter Fragiskatos, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and Member of Parliament for London Centre

“Trees are one of the most effective and practical tools we have to build stronger, healthier and more resilient communities. Through these investments, communities across Canada are expanding their urban forests, improving air quality, reducing climate risks and creating greener neighbourhoods for generations to come. Our government is proud to support local partners who are taking meaningful action to strengthen both the environment and quality of life for Canadians.”

— The Honourable Nathalie Provost, Secretary of State (Nature)

“This incredible investment shows what happens when we work as a team. I want to extend my deepest thanks to FCM, the federal government, and our dedicated teams at both the Town and the UTRCA for their seamless collaboration. Rooted in partnership, this project will bring over 4,000 trees to Ingersoll. It will further our shared priorities and is truly a win-win that enhances our neighborhoods today, strengthens the resilience of our watershed, and ensures future generations inherit a healthier, greener community.”

— Brian Petrie, Ingersoll Mayor and UTRCA Chair

About FCM’s Green Municipal Fund

FCM’s Green Municipal Fund (GMF) is a globally unique organization providing funding and education to municipalities to help them both reach net-zero and build resilient communities, while also delivering economic and social benefits such as jobs, housing and infrastructure. Since inception in 2000, it has helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3.02 million tonnes, funded nearly 60,000 person-years of employment, and contributed $5.6 billion to the national GDP via the more than 2,850 approved projects. GMF manages approximately $2.4 billion in programs funded by the Government of Canada.

Quick facts

GMF’s Growing Canada’s Community Canopies (GCCC) is a $291M initiative, funded through the Government of Canada and ending in 2031, that supports planting new trees across the country. GCCC funds planting the right type of trees in the right places so that communities across Canada can grow, manage and protect their tree canopies. The initiative is designed with smaller, rural, and remote communities in mind to encourage local climate action while enhancing tree survivability rates, fostering equitable access to trees across communities.To see the impact from previously funded projects: Watch this video to learn how this funding supported the City of Kitchener increase its tree canopy for its residents to addressing heat island effects and improve air quality. Watch this video to discover how the City of Cornwall is cooling vulnerable neighbourhoods through tree planting.Trees offer vital ecosystem services to communities as they provide carbon sequestration, stormwater management, cooling and air filtration. For example, the annual value of ecosystem services by the Niagara Peninsula in Ontario is estimated at $331 million.Trees improve public health by reducing stress and air pollution. For example, PaRX is a nature prescription program that emphasizes nature as a tool for improving mental and physical health.Through a partnership with Tree Canada, urban forestry experts provide personalized support during the application and implementation phases of projects. The guidance helps ensure high tree survivability rates and maximize the environmental and social impacts of planting projects.GCCC produces knowledge and training resources designed to enhance urban forestry expertise in Canadian communities. Resources cover topics from selecting the right species and planting site to putting equity at the centre of tree planting projects.

Associated links

Federation of Canadian MunicipalitiesGreen Municipal FundGrowing Canada’s Community CanopiesGCCC Tree planting fundingGovernment of Canada’s 2 Billion Trees Program  Government of Canada 2030 Emissions Reduction PlanTree Canada 

SOURCE Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

Procurement Reviews Now Ask How AI Platform Data Is Deleted; FastGPT Publishes Retention Periods and Deletion Semantics

Published

1 minute ago

on

September 4, 2026

By

Retention windows for conversation records, model-call traces and audit logs are now documented with their configuration variables and defaults

HANGZHOU, China, Sept. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — FastGPT, an open-source AI application platform for organizations, has consolidated in its public documentation how four classes of data are retained and removed: conversation records, knowledge base files, model-call traces and audit logs. The items were previously spread across a privacy policy, per-version upgrade notes and API reference pages.

For the cloud service, the privacy policy states that data deletion performed by a user is a physical deletion and is not recoverable, and that any non-physical deletion would be indicated in the service. The same policy states that user data is not kept as additional backup copies and is not used for model training. That page records its own last update as March 3, 2024.

Model-call traces used for short-term debugging are kept for six hours by default, adjustable through LLM_REQUEST_TRACKING_RETENTION_HOURS. Suspended agent sandboxes are archived after a period of inactivity set by AGENT_SANDBOX_ARCHIVE_INACTIVE_DAYS, with a default of seven days. Audit logs moved in the opposite direction in v4.16.0: on expiry they are transferred to cold archive storage rather than deleted, since traceability, not prompt removal, is what that class of data is kept for.

Three boundaries are documented alongside the defaults. The API endpoint that clears conversations affects only conversations created through an API key, and does not clear those from web use or shared links. Automatic cleanup depends on background tasks that can fail; two such defects were fixed in earlier releases, so a request to delete and a completed deletion should be verified separately. For community self-hosting and commercial private deployment, retention and cleanup are governed by the deploying organization, and the environment variables provide adjustable controls rather than a compliance conclusion.

About FastGPT

FastGPT is an open-source AI application platform offering RAG knowledge bases, visual workflows, agent orchestration, Skill, MCP and multi-channel publishing, available as a cloud service, community self-hosted, or commercial private deployment. As of Sept. 3, 2026, the GitHub repository labring/FastGPT has 29,551 stars and 7,297 forks across 275 releases, with v4.16.2 published on Sept. 3, 2026. Repository: github.com/labring/FastGPT

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/procurement-reviews-now-ask-how-ai-platform-data-is-deleted-fastgpt-publishes-retention-periods-and-deletion-semantics-302869833.html

SOURCE FastGPT

Continue Reading

Technology

TECNO POVA 8 Pro 5G Tonino Lamborghini Limited Edition Launches: A Phone Delivering Italian Aesthetics and Spirit with Power and Energy

Published

1 minute ago

on

September 4, 2026

By

TECNO POVA 8 Pro 5G Tonino Lamborghini Limited Edition features iconic Tonino Lamborghini design languages, while upholding the POVA series’ signature all-around performance from computing, imaging to AI.

HONG KONG, Sept. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TECNO, the AI-driven innovative technology brand, today launched the TECNO POVA 8 Pro 5G Tonino Lamborghini Limited Edition. Crafted as an all-around high-performance device wrapped in distinctive design, it speaks to those who seek a life beyond the ordinary — driven by an unwavering passion for performance, uncompromised style and design excellence.

The POVA 8 Pro 5G Tonino Lamborghini Limited Edition answers this demand: iconic Italian design speaking strength and energy; a dual-chipset architecture delivering the speed; Sony sensors capturing vivid images, and an array of practical AI functions empowering users every day.

The collaboration, first announced in March, is driven by both brands’ desire to stand out through bold innovations. The multi-year partnership combines the best of both worlds: TECNO’s deep well of innovation, technical mastery, and intimate understanding of a new generation of users; as well as Tonino Lamborghini’s Italian craftsmanship, engineering and mechanical heritage, and an unmistakable lifestyle experience.

“Too often, phone makers choose the ‘safest option’ even at the loss of individuality. Meanwhile, TECNO is known to choose the road less taken with highly distinguishable designs and functions, revolutionizing the digital experiences of hundreds of millions,” said Jack Guo, general manager of TECNO. “The launch of TECNO POVA 8 Pro Tonino Lamborghini Limited Edition represents a defining moment for TECNO. With this model, we create not only a new product but a journey throughout the design, the interface, the configurations and even AI.”

“For over 45 years, I have translated the strength of my mechanical heritage and my eclectic vision into pioneering partnership, selected markets and products shaped by a distinctive idea of Italian lifestyle and an uncompromising personal spirit. With TECNO, we are proud to bring this vision into this category, where technology becomes more than function: it becomes character, identity and personal expression,” said Mr. Tonino Lamborghini, Founder and President of Tonino Lamborghini S.p.A. “The TECNO POVA 8 Pro 5G Tonino Lamborghini Limited Edition captures my bold spirit: precision, energy, craftsmanship and an unmistakable design attitude. It is not a style applied on the surface, but a character running through the product itself. Created for those who are not satisfied with ordinary technology, it is a smartphone with a story, with spirit and with a clear statement of lifestyle.”

Bold Design, in Every Layer
TECNO POVA 8 Pro 5G Tonino Lamborghini Limited Edition builds around the most unmistakable elements of the Tonino Lamborghini design: the black-and-red palette of charisma and energy; and a hexagon pattern of strength and endurance.

At its center lies the Pulse Line — the arresting visual focal point inspired by mechanical precision and the flow of kinetic energy.  Encircling it is the Signature Shield hexagonal pattern. Thanks to a dual-layer stacking process, the rear panel offers a refined reflective quality and includes countless internal mirror structures that refract and redirect light. As the phone rotates, red elements surface from and then dive into the light and shadows, as if raw energy flushes across the surface of the phone.

Between the two layers, a physical height difference creates genuine spatial depth, recreating the layered geometry found in mechanical designs. The Tonino Lamborghini logo, rendered in a premium metallic finish, anchors the composition as the testament of the aesthetics.

The boldness extends through the entire user experience. A bespoke interface theme reworks dozens of icons in a black-and-red palette with glass-like material effects. The boot animation unfolds with the Pulse Line and crimson energy. A customized “L” signature, part of the brand heritage, effect appears on the Alive Matrix Display with other pre-defined scenarios and customization options. The ringtone is also bespoke.

The model, meanwhile, is also unmistakably POVA with the trinity camera module. A dedicated One-Tap Button on the side provides instant access to favorite apps, customizable gaming actions, and quick shortcuts. At 7.39mm thin, the model hosts a 6,500mAh battery. Tests by TECNO show the battery operates normally from -20°C to 60°C and maintains over 80% health even after 2,000 complete charge cycles, or up to six years of battery life.

Bold Performance, in All Aspects
A dual-chipset architecture drives the performance of TECNO POVA 8 Pro 5G Tonino Lamborghini Limited Edition: A MediaTek Dimensity 7400 Ultimate 5G platform, a P1 Graphic Chip developed by TECNO, supported by a 5K IceShield Vapor Chamber Cooling System.

The 8-core MediaTek Dimensity 7400 Ultimate 5G platform features intelligent scheduling and is well-suited for large games and multi-tasking while maintaining superior power efficiency even on high-speed 5G networks.

The P1 Graphic Chip offloads GPU rendering to deliver up to 144FPS in supported mainstream titles like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, PUBG, Call of Duty, and Honor of Kings; up to 90FPS in supported heavy titles like Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Wuthering Waves. 1.5K resolution is available across 30+ games, and so is HDR quality when supported*.

Managing heat is the 5K IceShield VC Cooling System. It includes a 5000mm² vapor chamber with a 9-layer thermal architecture with direct copper contact to the CPU, making the total heat dissipation area over 22,000mm². Even in heated temperatures, the phone continues to dissipate heat and perform effectively.

Bold Moments, in Clear Shots
TECNO POVA 8 Pro 5G Tonino Lamborghini Limited Edition is equipped with LYTIA™ 700C OIS main camera, co-engineered with Sony and built around a 1/1.56-inch sensor. The sensor features 2×2 OCL (On-Chip Lens) technology, enabling faster and more precise autofocus even in challenging lighting conditions.

The Sony’s LYTIA™ 700C sensor also delivers a larger light-sensitive area and a clear advantage in night photography and low-light scenarios. The integrated OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) further reduces blur from hand shakes, making handheld shots sharper and video recording steadier.

For those looking for details, TECNO POVA 8 Pro 5G Tonino Lamborghini Limited Edition supports 2× lossless zoom and a dedicated 50MP high-pixel mode. In addition, it includes an 8MP ultra-wide camera for capturing expansive landscapes and group shots, and a 13MP front camera for selfies and video calls.

Bold Visuals, in Vivid Colors
A 6.78-inch 1.5K 144Hz HyperLux AMOLED screen with adaptive refresh rate balances performance and battery life. The DCI-P3 wide color gamut standard, used in Hollywood film production ensures faithful restoration of blockbusters on the screen. The peak brightness reaches 4,500 nits. With a 240Hz touch sampling rate and a 2,800Hz instantaneous touch sampling rate, the screen is also hyper-accurate and responsive, giving users an edge in both browsing and gaming.

Additionally, Wet & Oily Finger Touch Recognition 2.0 keeps the screen responsive even in heavy rain, with sweaty hands, or when hands contact fat, oil, or lubricants. You can also control your phone effortlessly inside a waterproof pouch while showering or enjoying water activities.

Bold Life, with Practical AI
The TECNO POVA 8 Pro 5G Tonino Lamborghini Limited Edition delivers practical AI functions for real-world benefits, from productivity to health.

AI YouTube Summary recognizes copied YouTube links and turns lengthy videos into clear notes with timeline markers, key points and structured summaries. All-Scenario Noise Cancellation automatically identifies the “voiceprint” of the intended speaker and filters out all other noises — including other human voices in the background. Users can switch among modes to adapt to their environment, from calls, recordings, to meetings, and ensure their voice cuts through the background noise of busy commutes or crowded offices.

AI LightMaster 2.0 enhances photography by removing unwanted flares, reflections, and shadows, ensuring photos are polished and ready for confident sharing. With AI Health** in select markets, users can measure key health metrics including blood pressure, blood oxygen, heart rate and respiration with only a face scan.

These AI functions join a broader suite of smart tools, from AI Writing for rewriting, polishing, and summarizing text, to the AI Theme Generator that creates completely customized phone themes.

Bold Perseverance, on All Occasions
The TECNO POVA 8 Pro 5G Tonino Lamborghini Limited Edition is engineered to endure. Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, industry-leading IP69/69K/68/66 dust and water resistance and SGS 5-Star Drop Resistance certification suggest the device is reliable against the elements: from scratches, sand and rain to drops.

To ensure a secure and smooth experience for years to come, the device runs on HiOS 16 and will receive two major Android OS upgrades and three years of security patches. TECNO also offers three years of free 256 GB cloud storage, and in select markets, eligible users can access a 3-month Google AI Plus (2 TB) extended trial at no charge. The trial brings more access to Google AI and 2 TB of cloud storage***.

*FPS, 1.5K resolution, and HDR support may vary by game, version, settings, and actual usage. All game names and trademarks belong to their respective owners.
** For reference purposes only and is not a medical device.
** For more information on eligibility of the Google AI Plus trial, please check the terms and conditions.

– END –

About TECNO
As a global innovative technology brand with operations in over 70 markets, TECNO has been committed to revolutionizing the digital experience in global emerging markets, relentlessly pushing for the perfect integration of contemporary, aesthetic design with the latest technologies and AI. TECNO offers a wide range of smartphones, smart wearables, laptops and tablets, smart gaming, HiOS operating systems and smart home products. Guided by its brand essence of “Stop At Nothing”, TECNO is committed to unlocking the newest technologies and AI-powered new experiences for forward-looking individuals, inspiring them to never stop pursuing their best selves and their best futures. For more information, please visit TECNO’s official site: www.tecno-mobile.com.

About Tonino Lamborghini
Since 1981, Tonino Lamborghini brand has stood out for innovative design and exclusive luxury. With a product range spanning watches, eyewear, fashion accessories, hospitality, real estate, total living, luxury beverages and electric golf carts, the brand embodies Italian elegance and sophistication.

For more information: www.lamborghini.it

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tecno-pova-8-pro-5g-tonino-lamborghini-limited-edition-launches-a-phone-delivering-italian-aesthetics-and-spirit-with-power-and-energy-302868554.html

SOURCE TECNO

Continue Reading

Technology

DAREU Unveils a New Era of Modular Gaming Hardware at IFA 2026

Published

1 minute ago

on

September 4, 2026

By

BERLIN, Sept. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — DAREU, a global gaming and professional peripherals brand, will unveil its latest generation of modular gaming hardware at IFA 2026, taking place September 4–8 at Messe Berlin. At Booth H7.2b-101, DAREU will showcase an expanded portfolio of gaming keyboards, wireless keyboards and high-performance gaming mice, highlighting its focus on performance, modularity and personalization.

Flexible Platforms for Modern Gaming and Productivity

The FLEX 75/87/98 Series expands DAREU’s gaming keyboard portfolio across 75%, TKL and 98% layouts. Gasket-mounted construction, hot-swappable switches, RGB illumination and tri-mode connectivity provide a versatile platform for gaming, productivity and creative workflows. With multi-mode connectivity, the series also delivers the flexibility expected from a modern wireless keyboard, allowing users to transition seamlessly between different environments.

For competitive applications, the Ultra 75/68 Series incorporates magnetic-switch technology with up to 8K polling and 0.01 mm adjustable Rapid Trigger, enabling highly responsive actuation and precise input control for fast-paced gameplay.

Modularity Beyond the Keyboard

DAREU extends its modular design philosophy to the gaming mouse category with the Ultra 07, featuring magnetic interchangeable components and an adjustable rear shell. This architecture allows users to personalize configuration and grip characteristics according to individual preferences.

The upcoming Ultra 09 advances this approach through lightweight engineering and innovative power management. Its magnesium-alloy shell, weighing approximately 51g, PAW3950 sensor and up to 8K polling are complemented by a rechargeable detachable battery, offering greater flexibility for wireless gaming and extended sessions.

Engineering the Future of Personalized Gaming

Together, DAREU’s IFA 2026 portfolio reflects a broader development philosophy that brings modular architecture, precision engineering and industrial design into a unified gaming ecosystem. From customizable gaming keyboards and wireless keyboards to high-performance gaming mice, DAREU gives users greater control over configuration, ergonomics and performance while continuing to explore new possibilities in personalized gaming hardware.

As part of its global expansion strategy, DAREU is seeking distributors, channel partners and strategic business partners worldwide. Industry professionals are invited to visit Booth H7.2b-101 during IFA 2026.

About DAREU

Founded in 2006, DAREU is a global gaming and professional peripherals brand specializing in mechanical and magnetic-switch keyboards and gaming mice. Guided by “Dare to Be Yourself,” DAREU integrates engineering, design and innovation to develop high-performance products for gamers and professionals worldwide.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/dareu-unveils-a-new-era-of-modular-gaming-hardware-at-ifa-2026-302864572.html

Continue Reading

Trending