Silviculture activities this summer will see 292,000 tree seedlings planted across 153 hectares of land in the Seal Bay and Badger Burn areas in central Newfoundland.

"Our government is committed to responsible forest management," said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency. "Our silviculture program plays a vital role in maintaining healthy forests and a viable timber supply."

"I am pleased with the significant investment being made in silviculture in the area," said Ray Hunter, MHA for Grand Falls-Windsor-Green Bay South. "Forest renewal is an important part of building economic stability in our rural communities and providing meaningful employment."

The project includes reforestation of two sites � 83 hectares in Badger Burn and 70 hectares in Seal Bay. This work is valued at $50,000 and will employ 10 people for seven weeks. In total, the area will be planted with 271,900 black spruce seedlings, 10,000 white pine seedlings and 10,600 red pine seedlings.

"It�s great to see the government's proactive, responsible approach to reforestation," said Susan Sullivan, MHA for Grand Falls-Windsor-Buchans. "The provision of additional funding to silviculture will ensure viable, sustainable forests into the future. I commend Minister Dunderdale and her department for this investment."

The Provincial Government has increased its investment in silviculture by $1 million this year, for a total budget of $10.4 million in support of silviculture activities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Budget 2008 also contains $14 million in new funding to support diversification initiatives for the forest sector to provide for stability and create growth in the industry.

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Media contact:
Tracy Barron
Director of Communications
Department of Natural Resources
709-729-5282, 690-8241
tracybarron@gov.nl.ca

2008 08 11                                                   10:30 a.m.