A Kids in the Woods event, tree-planting ceremonies, forest tours and presentations to school-age children are among the activities planned to mark National Forest Week, an annual event celebrating one of Canada's greatest natural resources.

"The forests of Newfoundland and Labrador have been supporting the people of Newfoundland and Labrador for generations," said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources and the Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency. "We have forest ecosystems that offer many and varied benefits for hunters, hikers and berry pickers and provide a natural habitat for plant and animal species. It is very important we take this time to celebrate this valuable resource."

The theme for National Forest Week, September 19-25, is Canada's Natural Resources: Branching Out. The event is celebrated in many municipalities in Newfoundland and Labrador and embraces the opportunities created by new partnerships, markets and innovative uses for forest products in order to ensure a dynamic and competitive forest sector is maintained for years to come.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, the forest is used for traditional means such as wood harvesting, and to support the pulp and paper industry. Innovative uses include the manufacture of wood pellets for home heating appliances, furniture and other products.

During National Forest Week, the Department of Natural Resources will hold municipal tree-planting ceremonies in various forest districts across the province. Commemorative plaques will be presented at each tree-planting location.

Budget 2010 provides $22.9 million to the forestry sector this year, including $7.5 million in new funding to support diversification initiatives for the forest sector to provide for stability and create growth in the industry.

A list of National Forest Week events is available at www.gov.nl.ca/nr/forestweek.stm  　

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Media contact:

Ken Morrissey
Director of Communications
Department of Natural Resources
709-729-5282, 685-6612
kenmorrissey@gov.nl.ca

During National Forest Week a variety of events will be held at various locations across the province including:

Corner Brook
Monday, September 20, 10:15 a.m., Glynmill Inn Pond
Official opening of National Forest Week with tree-planting ceremony and Kids in the Woods event. Sixty students from two local elementary schools will be guided through forestry science stations by conservation officers. The students will also participate in demonstrations on forest fire fighting, plant identification and other activities.

Tuesday, September 21, 12:30 p.m., Forest Centre, Room 3019, Grenfell Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Dr. Erin Kelly, Post-doctoral Fellow in Social Values in Forestry, will discuss Disintegration of the U.S. Forest Industry: Opportunities for New Tenures.

Wednesday, September 22, 12:30 p.m., College of the North Atlantic lecture theatre

Adam Anderson and Peter Yates of Anderson & Yates Forest Consultants Inc., discuss Bio-energy Operations in Finland and Forest Operations in Australia.

Thursday, September 23, 12:30 p.m. Forest Centre, Room 3024, Grenfell Campus

André Arsenault, Forest Ecologist, Canadian Forest Service, Atlantic Forestry Centre, will discuss using plants as bio-indicators of change.

Corner Brook High School Debate, Friday, September 24, Room 104, RecPlex Building, Grenfell Campus, 1:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Join experts from the Grenfell Campus, the Canadian Forest Service and the Department of Natural Resources as they debate the effects of climate change on forests.

St. George's
Wednesday, September 22, 10:00 a.m., Bottom Brook Arboretum
A tree-planting ceremony will be held.

Appleton
Wednesday, September 22, 2:00 p.m., Peace Park.
A tree-planting ceremony will be held.