TORONTO -- The short-eared owl and the Jefferson salamander are just two of the many species at risk in Ontario because the province lacks more than 1 billion trees, according to Trees Ontario.

The non-profit conservationist group says Ontario is falling behind in efforts to maintain the province's forested areas.

"Even though more than 3 million trees were planted in the watersheds of southern Ontario in 2009, we are not doing nearly enough tree planting," said Michael Scott, president of Trees Ontario.

"In the 1980s, we helped protect our ecosystem by planting between 20 to 30 million trees each year across our rural landscape.

"Experts tell us that to help restore the natural cover that protects the watersheds and creates woodlots and forested areas, we need at least 30% forest cover.

"Unfortunately, current estimates indicate some areas in southern Ontario have as little as 5% forest cover."

The southern part of the province only has 1% of old growth forest left.

The area has lost large sections of other wooded areas and 70% of its wet lands.

Wildlife is paying a heavy price.

"There are now more species at risk in areas of southern Ontario than anywhere else in Canada," Scott said, adding 1 billion trees need to be planted just to get back to minimum levels.

The province has committed to plant 50 million trees by 2020.

"But we have long since passed the point where we can all sit back and expect our governments to solve these problems," Scott said.

"We cannot address this problem without public and corporate support and involvement."

Trees Ontario's immediate priority is to generate broad public support and increase annual planting levels to at least 10 million trees over the next five years.

KEVIN.CONNOR@SUNMEDIA.CA