Ceremony held for planting of the province�s 150 millionth tree seedling and expansion of Wooddale Provincial Tree Nursery

A special ceremony was held today at the Provincial Tree Nursery in Wooddale to mark a milestone in the Newfoundland and Labrador forest industry - the planting of the province�s 150 millionth tree seedling. The ceremony also highlighted the completion of the expansion of Wooddale Provincial Tree Nursery. Taking part in the event were Premier Roger Grimes, Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods Rick Woodford and Anna Thistle, Minister of Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education.

Premier Grimes emphasized that today�s milestone demonstrates government�s continued commitment to sustainable forest management. "Investing in the maintenance and enhancement of a healthy and vibrant forest ecosystem through long-term silviculture programs is essential if we are to preserve this natural resource for present and future generations," said Premier Grimes.

Minister Woodford said an effective silviculture program plays an integral role in the management of our forest ecosystem. "The planting of our 150 millionth tree seedling today not only acknowledges the commitment of forest managers toward responsible and effective reforestation, it also demonstrates our commitment to both environmental and economic health," said Minister Woodford. "To put this into perspective, 150 million trees translates into 75,000 hectares of plantations, or 185,000 acres."

Minister of Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education and MHA for Grand Falls-Buchans, Anna Thistle, said that silviculture programs provide an important economic boost for many communities throughout the province. "Tree seedlings produced at the Wooddale Tree Nursery are used in numerous silviculture projects each year, which provide meaningful employment, especially in rural areas."

Premier Grimes and Ministers Woodford and Thistle also cut a ribbon at the ceremony to officially announce the construction of eight new state-of-the-art greenhouses at the Wooddale Provincial Tree Nursery. The nursery expansion is a partnership between the forestry and agrifoods branches of the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods. Six greenhouses will be used for tree seedling production, while the two others will be used for innovative agrifoods research and crop development.

The new greenhouses will see the number of tree seedlings produced annually increase from the current level of 7.5 million to 10 million, as well as help enhance and increase the amount of agrifoods research and development initiatives that are taking place in areas such as cranberries, medicinal herbs and Sea Buckthorn.

Media contact: Craig Renouf, Forest Resources and Agrifoods, (709) 637-2923

2003 06 27                                      10:35 a.m.