Millar Western celebrates the planting of 200 million trees
Millar Western today marked a forest renewal milestone: the planting of its 200 millionth tree seedling. To commemorate the achievement, company employees, along with Chairman Mac Millar and President & CEO Craig Armstrong, unveiled a plaque and planted a tree near the site where Millar Western began its Alberta forest operations, nearly a century ago. Joining them for the ceremony were the Honourable Oneil Carlier, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry; Jon Carson, MLA, Edmonton-Meadowlark; Mayor of Whitecourt Maryann Chichak; Chief Tony Alexis of the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation; and other guests.
Millar Western planted the 200 million trees over the span of nearly 40 years, after assuming responsibility for managing its forest areas from the Alberta government in 1977. In reflecting on the accomplishment, Mr. Millar noted his family’s long history in the forest sector. “During our many decades in business, we have witnessed, first-hand, the benefits of sustainable forestry,” said Mr. Millar. “We have seen harvested areas returned to healthy forests that support biodiversity and other environmental values, as well as the economic well-being of thousands of Albertans and dozens of communities across our province.”
In helping company employees and partners mark the reforestation milestone, Minister Carlier noted Alberta’s reliance on responsible development. “Our province is blessed with abundant natural resources, including healthy and productive forests. Making building materials, pulp and paper, green energy and other products from the renewable forest resource, in an environmentally sound way, benefits all Albertans,” said Mr. Carlier. “Forestry is an essential part of a strong and diversified provincial economy.”
Mr. Armstrong noted that research and collaboration, together with our unique system of public ownership of forests, have made Canada a world leader in forest management. “We have long understood that our industry’s future viability relies on responsible stewardship,” said Mr. Armstrong. “By investing in innovation, and applying sound science to our forestry practices, we make sure future generations, too, will enjoy the environmental, social and economic benefits of our forests.” Mr. Armstrong expressed gratitude to Millar Western’s employees and partners, including the businesses that grow the company’s seedlings from locally collected cones and those that conduct tree planting for the company each summer.
