Trees for Tomorrow will host a tree giveaway program offering hybrid poplar cuttings on Saturday, July 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with cuttings available for the public at three locations across the province, Conservation Minister Stan Struthers announced.
Manitoba created the Trees for Tomorrow program in 2008 with the goal of planting five million trees over the next five years as a part of Manitoba’s Beyond Kyoto Initiative. This program contributes to the United Nations’ Billion Tree Campaign, while off-setting carbon emissions that contribute to climate change.
Trees for Tomorrow has seen many successful plantings to date including hybrid poplar plantings at Long Plain First Nation, Assiniboine Conservation District, Fort Whyte, Winnipeg Floodway and on various private lands. Many conifer plantations have also been established on woodlots and private lands throughout Manitoba, as well as at Swan Lake First Nation. A large number of trees have been given away to the public at various scheduled events including Arbor Day, Trans Canada Trails Day – Save Our Seine, Manitoba Envirothon, and at the Roseau Valley and Sansome schools.
“The program has made great progress this year on identifying lands ready for tree planting so the goal of planting two million trees by the end of 2009 will be met,” the minister said. “However, due to this spring’s unseasonably cool weather and recent heavy rains, some sites scheduled for planting have become inaccessible to land preparation equipment. Although planting at these locations will be deferred until next year, we are confident the program will meet its goal of planting five million by the end of 2012.”
Hybrid poplar cuttings will be available at the following locations, on July 18:
Winnipeg – Manitoba Legislative Building, 450 Broadway;
Steinbach – Manitoba Conservation District Office at Unit B – 284 Reimer Ave.; and
Brandon – Manitoba Conservation District Office at 1129 Queen St.
A tree giveaway program for white-spruce seedlings, the provincial tree, will take place during National Forest Week celebrations running from September 20 to 26.
