Over 1.5 million tree seedlings to be planted as part of reforestation initiatives

Ed Byrne, Minister of Natural Resources, along with Roger Fitzgerald, MHA for Bonavista South, Ross Wiseman, MHA for Trinity North and Paul Oram, MHA for Terra Nova, has announced a total of $138,190 in funding for two silviculture projects taking place throughout the districts.

Minister Byrne said government is committed to ensuring the long-term viability of the province�s forest ecosystem through reforestation. �As a result of the $7.3 million invested into the provincial silviculture program in Budget 2005, 80 silviculture projects have been scheduled throughout Newfoundland and Labrador this year. Our silviculture programs are a key element of our approach to sustainable and responsible forest management.�

�This announcement is certainly great news for my district of Terra Nova,� said Mr. Oram. �Our government is taking the future of our forest resources very seriously and reforestation initiatives such as the ones announced today are truly steps in the right direction.�

Mr. Wiseman said, �I am very pleased with the projects announced today. The people of my district will benefit from this reforestation work as it will provide employment through the planting of seedlings and serve to protect the resource for future use.�

�The reforestation efforts in my district of Bonavista South are indeed welcome,� said Mr. Fitzgerald. �Our government is committed to protecting and preserving our forest resources and the projects announced today will assist us in doing just that.�

The first project is taking place exclusively in the district of Terra Nova and will involve the planting of 265,000 tree seedlings over an area of 106 hectares in the Mile Bridge � George�s Pond region. This project started August 22 and is expected to be completed by mid-September.

The second project is taking place at various locations in the districts of Bonavista South, Trinity North and Terra Nova. This project will consist of the planting of 1.25 million tree seedlings over an approximate area of 500 hectares. This project is scheduled to commence in early September and take five weeks to complete.

Tree seedlings for both projects were produced at the Wooddale Provincial Tree Nursery. It is expected both projects will create 140 person weeks of employment.

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

2005 09 07                             12:25 p.m.