Released on June 27, 2000
The province has just completed its spring reforestation projects, addingnearly 2.5 million new trees to Saskatchewan's northern forests.
Seven planting projects were co-ordinated by Saskatchewan Environment and
Resource Management (SERM) in the Carrot River, Sipanok Channel and Fort-a-la-
Corne areas of the provincial forest. SERM worked with four different
silvicultural contractors — Cumberland House Cree Nation, Olson's Ventures,
Roots Reforestation, and Smokey Lake Tree Planters — to plant the jack pine
and white spruce seedlings.
Preparation of the site, purchase of seedlings and planting costs totaled
nearly $2 million. The actual planting involved approximately 150 tree
planters and support staff and was completed in about four weeks.
"Forest renewal is key to the long-term sustainability of our forests," SERM
Minister Buckley Belanger said. "By planting trees today, we are helping to
maintain both a healthy ecosystem and an important renewable resource."
Forest renewal was one of the programs enhanced by an additional $4.4 million
for sustainable forest management included in this spring's budget. The
programs will support the government's four-year plan to double the province's
forest sector while creating an additional 10,000 jobs.
SERM plans to plant an additional 1.5 million trees this fall.
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For more information, contact:
Ron Berezowsky
Forest Ecosystems Branch, SERM
Prince Albert
Phone: (306) 953-2587