Silviculture is key to sustainable management

Forest Resources and Agrifoods Minister Rick Woodford said today that his department will invest approximately $7 million in its core silviculture program for the 2002-2003 fiscal year, while industry will invest another $4 million for a total provincial investment of $11 million.

Mr. Woodford said silviculture has proven to be an effective way to renew and enhance our forest resource for future generations.

"Silviculture investment is integral in sustainable ecosystem management and this year�s program will see many important initiatives including planting, thinning and site reclamation. We also hope to expand our capacity to produce tree seedlings and increase the number of seedlings to nine million compared with approximately seven million last year."

The minister added: "The importance of silviculture was highlighted during the Jobs and Growth consultations and I am pleased that today�s budget will allow my department to maintain such an effective and important program."

Media contact: Sonia B. Glover, Communications, (709) 729-6183.

2002 03 21                           3:30 p.m.