Pilot tree planting program to create student employment

Natural Resources Minister Ed Byrne today announced that post-secondary students will be hired at various locations throughout the province this summer as part of a tree planting pilot program.

Government�s decision to provide an additional $1 million in the budget this year for silviculture will increase the total number of tree seedlings planted in the province from 11 to 15 million and increase the demand for tree planters

The student tree planting pilot program will be offered in partnership with the Newfoundland and Labrador Forest Training Association. The association will administer the program.

"A student tree planting program has never existing in this province, although they have existed in other provinces for years," Minister Byrne said. "The increase in the number of seedlings being planted this year allows us to offer about 20 post-secondary students the opportunity for summer employment. This pilot program will determine if it�s feasible to involve students on a regular basis in the future."

Planting tree seedlings is physically demanding work in varying weather conditions. Tree planting projects will be established in three areas this year � the Avalon Peninsula at Paddy�s Pond, in central around the Lewisporte/Gander/Gambo areas and in the Clarenville area. Each project will last for up to 12 weeks and result in about 900,000 tree seedlings being planted.

More information about these jobs can be found at local Service Canada Centres forYouth. To find your nearest location, visit //www.youth.gc.ca/yoaux.jsp?&lang=en&flash=1&ta=1&auxpageid=1095

Hiring is expected to start soon.

Government recognizes that the renewable nature of the forest resource means trees must be replaced as they are harvested through an effective silviculture program. The increase in silviculture funding in this year�s budget is part of a three-year plan to increase the total funding for the silviculture program in the province to $10.3 million.

Media contact: Tracy Barron, Communications, (709) 729-5282, 685-1703

2005 05 25                                      10:25 a.m.