A small town in Quebec, Canada, has signed on to the Universal Declaration of Tree Rights.

A first for Canada, the town, Terrasse-Vaudreuil, located west of Montreal, has decided to recognise trees as living beings with rights of their own.

Mayor Michel Bourdeau says Quebec filmmaker André Desrochers inspired the community to take action.

"A tree is like a human being," Bourdeau says, "it breathes, it lives, it takes in water. It protects us from all sorts of things."

The Universal Declaration of Tree Rights was written and initiated by Ricardo Rey and is institutionally carried by La Compagnie des Papillons Bleus, its founding organisation and official institutional steward, stating that trees are living beings and a common human good that was published in 2019.

Rey also comments:

"The Declaration does not equate trees with human beings or grant them legal personhood; it recognises them as living beings whose integrity and ecological role deserve protection."

The new resolution means the town will review its existing rules and bylaws to ensure that trees are protected or replanted if they must be cut down.

"Trees are a true green infrastructure," Bourdeau adds. "They help reduce urban heat islands, improve air quality, manage precious water resources and protect biodiversity." When it comes to fighting climate change, "our biggest ally is the trees," he finishes.