Silviculture funding announced for Windsor-Springdale

Ed Byrne, Minister of Natural Resources, along with Ray Hunter, MHA for Windsor-Springdale, today announced funding in the amount of $41,984 for a silviculture project taking place this summer in the district. The funding is being provided through government�s $7.3 million 2005 Provincial Silviculture Program.

Minister Byrne said government�s investment in the silviculture program is a key component of its overall approach toward sustainable forest management strategy in the province.

�Silviculture activities such as the planting of tree seedlings is very important as it helps to maintain healthy forest ecosystems while also enhancing future wood supplies which is necessary for the viability of our province�s forest industry,� said Minister Byrne.

�The silviculture project announced today will greatly benefit the district of Windsor-Springdale,� said Mr. Hunter. �The direct employment created by this reforestation work will have an immediate impact on the local economy. The project will also benefit the local economy in the long-term by helping to ensure a sustainable wood supply for the forestry industry into the future. This industry is of vital importance to my district and projects such as this one will help to guarantee its continued success.�

This reforestation project will involve the planting of 246,000 black spruce tree seedlings over an area of 164 hectares in the vicinity of Seal Bay. The seedlings were produced at the Provincial Tree Nursery at Wooddale.

The project, which started July 6, is expected to create 120 person weeks of employment. It is anticipated the project will be completed by the end of July.

Media contact: Carmel Turpin, Communications, (709) 729-5282, 685-4624

2005 07 21                          2:30 p.m.