Millar Western joins partners in Forest Capital of Canada tree-planting blitz
It’s always a good time to plant a tree. When a group of determined volunteers works together to plant several thousand trees in one afternoon, you know it’s been a great time!
Millar Western recently joined the Canadian Institute of Forestry (CIF), The Canadian Forestry Association (CFA) and the University of Alberta Renewable Resources Department in a one-day tree-planting blitz marking the Town of Whitecourt and Woodlands County’s designation as the 2013 Forest Capital of Canada.
The June 22nd event saw a dozen U of A forestry students, aided by Millar Western woodlands staff and other partners, plant more than 5,000 trees in a new recreation area being developed in Woodlands County, about 35 km east of Whitecourt, near Blue Ridge, AB. Millar Western donated the seedlings for the blitz, and provided technical support to ensure effective planting technique.
As well as continuing the promotion of the region’s 2013 Forest Capital designation and beautifying the new recreation area, the tree-planting blitz served as a fundraising event for the forestry students. In recognition of the students’ efforts, the CFA will donate funds toward travel expenses, helping the U of A forestry class take part in a national forestry conference, competition and field tour being held later this year in Newfoundland.
In utilizing Millar Western’s silvicultural expertise, the event also served to remind the public that trees are a renewable resource, and that the forest industry plants many millions of trees in Alberta each year as part of ongoing reforestation and sustainable forest management activities.