Close to three million tree seedlings were planted on public and private land across Prince Edward Island this year by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and the forest nursery is now raising a total of three million seedlings for planting in 2001. Agriculture and Forestry Minister Mitch Murphy is encouraging more landowners to have harvested sites replanted.
"The reforestation of harvested sites is vital to ensuring the sustainability of the Island's forestry resources," said Mr. Murphy. "For a modest investment now, landowners can realize long-term benefits through the establishment and management of their woodlots."
Despite the increase in replanting, Mr. Murphy said that even taking into account natural regeneration, the province will be facing a shortfall in the future because of increases in the harvest in recent years. He said that on average more than 8000 acres are being harvested annually, and more trees must be planted to ensure the sustainability of the forests and of the forest industry.
The department is currently beginning a comprehensive inventory of the forestry resource. The estimated forested area in 1997 was more than 685,000 acres, roughly 50 percent of the land area of the Island. Between 1990 and 1997, 11,500 acres of forest land were converted to agriculture, and that was offset by more than 5000 acres converted to forest. Combined with natural regeneration, the decline in forested area between 1990 and 1997 was less than one percent.
"Harvest levels currently exceed sustainable levels, and in the coming months I will be discussing with industry representatives the measures that will be in place to ensure we have a healthy forest and sustainable forest industry in coming years," he said. "Over the next year, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry will launch an extensive education campaign for Islanders so they will be aware of the value of the forests and best management practices."