SPRING FOREST RENEWAL PROJECTS UNDERWAY

Saskatchewan Environment's spring reforestation projects are now underway, and will add just over two million new trees to Saskatchewan's northern forests.

Tree-planting projects are being co-ordinated by Saskatchewan Environment's Forest Service staff in the several areas of the provincial forest. Planting operations are being carried out by private silvicultural contractors. Crews hired by these companies are hand-planting jack pine and white spruce seedlings.

Projects to plant a total of 2,046,000 jack pine and white spruce seedlings are located in the Pasquia-Porcupine area, east of Carrot River, and in the Island Forests near Prince Albert. Work on all projects is expected to be complete by the end of June.

"June 5th to 11th is Environment Week and proper forest renewal is important to the long-term sustainability of our forests and our comittment to building a green and prosperous economy," Environment Minister David Forbes said. "By planting trees today, we are helping to maintain both healthy ecosystems and a valuable renewable resource."

Under current Forest Management Agreements (FMAs), larger forest companies are responsible for reforesting the areas they harvest. Other harvesters pay a renewal fee, either to a FMA-holder's renewal trust fund or directly to government. Saskatchewan Environment performs reforestation on areas not covered by agreements, and for areas harvested before the FMAs were in place. Each year, industry and government plant approximately 18 million seedlings in Saskatchewan forests.

Saskatchewan Environment plans to plant an additional 600,000 trees this fall, all in the Pasquia-Porcupine area.

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For More Information, Contact:

Shane Vermette Environment Prince Albert Phone: (306) 953-2346