Quebec town gives trees legal rights

A small town west of Montreal has become the first municipality in Quebec and Canada to formally recognize trees as living beings with rights of their own. TerrasseVaudreuil council adopted a resolution on June 9 that says trees deserve protection, including the right to life, natural growth, integrity and regeneration. Mayor Michel Bourdeau said a film by Quebec filmmaker André Desrochers helped inspire the community to act. The town also signed onto the Universal Declaration of the Rights of the Tree, an international initiative backed by environmental groups. Officials say the move will help guide local rules on tree protection and replacement, and could support future efforts to expand the tree canopy and improve resilience to heat, flooding and climate change.