The province has finished planting six million trees across Manitoba through the successful Trees for Tomorrow program, including distributing two million trees this year alone, Premier Greg Selinger announced. The premier marked National Tree Day by planting the program’s final tree near the Odena Circle at the Forks.
“Planting a tree is one way to make a difference and support the health of our environment,” said Selinger. “These six million trees will help reduce greenhouse gases, as well as reduce soil erosion, create wildlife habitat, enhance the beauty of property and provide health benefits for families around the province.”
The program was launched in 2008, with a target of planting five million trees by 2012. In 2011, the goal was increased to six million trees. Since then, Manitobans have been provided six million hybrid poplar cuttings and conifer seedlings. Selinger noted the Manitoba Forestry Association assists in the delivery of the program and the province’s Pineland Forest Nursery in Hadashville grows most of the seedlings.
The trees have been used to create plantations and shelterbelts on woodlots and other private lands. In addition, a large number of trees were provided to the public and for major tree-planting initiatives, such those at the floodway in Winnipeg and FortWhyte Alive.
The province has also committed in TomorrowNow, Manitoba’s Green Plan, to develop a new long-term program to manage public demand for tree planting.
“Now that we have met our commitment to plant six million trees in five years, we will begin work to create a long-term tree-planting initiative to help us enhance urban and rural forests throughout Manitoba,” said Selinger.
The premier invited the public to share their suggestions for the development of a new tree program through the TomorrowNow website.
