Premier Pat Binns led in the ceremonial planting of a red oak seedling at the Robert L. Cotton Memorial Park in Stratford on Wednesday to celebrate the planting of the 50 millionth tree produced by the provincial government nursery. He was joined in the ceremony by woodlot owners, members of watershed groups, school children, forest industry personnel and other interested Islanders.
"In planting this 50 millionth tree, we are celebrating the contributions of the forest to our growth and development as a province, and we are expressing our confidence in the future of our forests and our forest industry," said Premier Binns. "As a government, we are committed to the sustainable management of our forest resources for present and future generations of Islanders."
Also participating in Wednesday's ceremony was Agriculture and Forestry Minister Mitch Murphy who unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion. Mr. Murphy said the provincial government is encouraging private woodlot owners who account for 90 percent of forest land to increase in the level of reforestation.
"This year we have increased the number of seedling being produced to three million, and we are examining ways to increase that number," said Mr. Murphy. "Increasing the level of reforestation is key to ensuring the sustainability of the province's forestry resource and the forest industry."
In conjunction with Wednesday's ceremony, a number of other hardwood and softwood species native to Prince Edward Island were planted to recognize the contributions of those who have contributed to reforestation efforts, including woodlot owners, Scouts, 4-H, conservation groups, farmers and others.
The first tree nursery operated by the provincial government was established at Beach Grove in the early 1950s. It produced a limited number of trees for rural beautification projects, and the success of these early plantings led to the establishment of plantations. Seedling production now takes place at the J. Frank Gaudet Tree Nursery in West Royalty.
An Acadian Forest Arboretum, planted with species produced at the West Royalty nursery has been established at the Cotton Memorial Park to acknowledge the contributions of Islanders who planted and tended trees over the past 50 years.
"With sound management practices, there is every reason to be confident about the future of this renewable resource and as a government, we believe that investments made in our forests are investments in the future of our province," said Premier Binns.