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CBC
6 days ago
- General
- CBC
Reforestation project in N.W.T. presses on, with 1.5 million trees planted near Behchokǫ̀
Roslen Washie, a 25-year-old man from Behchokǫ, N.W.T., hopes one day he can point to the forest around his home and tell his children about the key role he played in restoring the burn area and bringing caribou to Tłı̨chǫ lands. "I wanna be able to tell my son, 'you see these trees? Your dad planted the majority of them,'" Washie said. A total of 13 million trees are being planted on Tłı̨chǫ lands in the next five years as part of an ambitious project aimed at fighting climate change, restoring ecosystems, bringing back boreal caribou habitat and creating jobs. It started with an agreement between the Tłı̨chǫ government, Let's Plant Trees and Tree Canada, signed in 2023 to plant 1 million trees, and expanded in 2025 with a $53-million investment — the bulk of that coming from Canada's 2 Billion Trees program – to plant another 12 million. The Tłı̨chǫ government has described it as the biggest tree-planting initiative to ever happen in the N.W.T. A camp that was set up in a sand pit near Russell Lake outside of Behchokǫ last month consisted of about 110 people, including 80 crew members from the south, and 30 Tłı̨chǫ people. Together, they put the project's first spruce, tamarack and birch trees in the ground. Over the course of three weeks, they planted 1.5 million trees in all. However, the effort was marked by tragedy in its opening days. Joshua Patenaude, a pilot with Great Slave Helicopters, was helping support the reforestation project on July 14 when his chopper crashed. He died despite first responders' efforts to save his life. Many of those who rushed to the scene were part of the tree planting project. Max Zoe, a climate change research co-ordinator with the Tłı̨chǫ government, who's helping co-ordinate the tree planting project, said the crew was given time off after the incident. Counsellors were also brought in to help people deal with what had happened. "We tried to recover the best we can," he said. "How do you move on from such tragedy? You just kind of have to, like, hold that stuff into your heart and, like, remember them and remember that the work is important." Noel Football, who helped collect seeds last year and who is now working on the project as a bear monitor and occasional tree planter, expressed sorrow too. "I'd like to say sorry about the chopper crash," he said. Football said a lot of the people involved were shocked about what had happened, and some needed time before they were ready to work again. And with a narrow window to accomplish the work, he was also impressed by the team's capacity to get all the trees in the ground while processing their grief. "They really are professionals," he said of the tree planters from the south. "Watching them, the way they move, I can't believe it. I don't know how they do it." Tree planting as an industry for the N.W.T. One of the tree planting teams was a crew of Tłı̨chǫ people, trained this summer to do the work. "It's a great experience," said Washie, one of the locals, as he moved through the brush next to the Behchokǫ Access Road on a Tuesday morning last week. It was the final day of planting, and he still had a few bundles of seedlings stowed in the planting bags hung around his waist. "It's good for the land, it's good for the environment," he said. And with how the wildfires have burned a lot of Tłı̨chǫ land in recent years, he said, "it's a good opportunity to let these trees regrow for the future." Washie also sees a future in tree planting – for himself in the short-term, and for the N.W.T. in the long-term. He's hoping to plant trees with Spectrum Resources Group again next year as the project continues, and said it's an industry other regions of the territory could pursue as well. Washie envisions people from around the N.W.T. coming together and starting up their own tree planting company. "That would be great to see, as a young adult, for myself. I think that's a great employment opportunity for the Northwest Territories' residents." The project pivots Josh Quaite, a reforestation operations division manager with Spectrum, said part of the plan had initially been to plant 500,000 seedlings around James Lake this year. That's about 23 kilometres from the Russell Lake area, where the tree planting camp had been set up and where the trees were being kept. Helicopters were being used to get trees and personnel out to the remote planting site. But grappling with the unexpected tragedy and a reluctance to fly, Quaite said Spectrum changed gears a bit. "To get into a helicopter after an event like that, it's pretty tough. And, you know, we just weren't ready to do that right away," he said. Half the number of trees were planted around James Lake, and more – for a total of 1.25 million – were planted along the access roads into Behchokǫ and Russell Lake instead. Spectrum has planted trees for the purpose of post-fire and habitat restoration before, said Quaite, "but to do it on this scale is something else." 'These ones are here to stay' Football said learning to plant the trees felt good, having spent his life cutting them down for wood. "I like doing this kind of work," he said. Football also said he couldn't believe his eyes when he saw the seedlings for the first time this summer, after helping collect cones from trees on Tłı̨chǫ land last year so they could get a head start in southern nurseries. "And here I am, planting it? It's really nice." Justin Issler, who has spent most of his two-year tree-planting career in British Columbia, likes the work as well. "This is my first time in the Northwest Territories," he said. It's flat and there's more rock and wetland areas to navigate in the N.W.T., he said, but the soil is nicer. He also appreciates the opportunity to plant what he described as "forever trees" – meaning the seedlings are intended to grow and reproduce on the land naturally, instead of eventually being chopped down by a large forestry industry. "These ones are here to stay," he said.
Hamilton Spectator
09-07-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Tlicho to begin ambitious reforesting project this Saturday
What's being touted as the largest reforestation project ever in the Northwest Territories is set to take root this Saturday. Officials with the Tlicho government announced an opening ceremony for the Tlicho Tree Planting Initiative on July 12 at 9 a.m. will take place at the Russell Lake spiritual gathering area. The goal is to plant 1.4 million locally seeded trees in 2025 — with the long term goal of planting 13 million trees in six years. ' This project is an effort to push back against the effects of climate change and is focused to supporting regeneration of the land and restoration of habitat for Caribou and all people and animals that use the land,' said program development officer Paul Cressman. ' In response to worsening wildfires and shrinking forests, this project will accelerate natural regeneration, protect wildlife, and strengthen Tlicho ties to the land. It will also create local job opportunities and career pathways in reforestation and land stewardship. 'The Tlicho Government is working with experienced forest industry partners this year, to gain experience and building local knowledge and capacity.' Drum dancing and an opening prayer to bless the land will be a part of the ceremonies. Funding for the project stems from the federal government's '2 Billion Trees' program and from Tree Canada. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
19-06-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
More than 80,000 seedlings to be planted for Downton Lake wildfire recovery
In 2023, a wildfire ripped through the Downton Lake area of the Upper Bridge River Valley(BRV), destroying more than 40 homes, threatening some 270 properties and consuming an area of about 9,600 hectares before being put out. Now, a partnership between the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD), Cariboo Carbon Solutions (CCS) and Tree Canada is looking to plant 80,000 seedlings on private lands in Electoral Area A in 2026 at no cost to participating landowners. The SLRD has asked interested residents to sign up by June 30 to give organizers time to develop site-specific planting plans. As of May 26, 40 landowners had already signed up. The SLRD calls the reforestation plan 'a major step forward in recovery and climate resiliency in the Upper BRV,' supporting 'ecological restoration on fire-affected private properties.' 'The 2023 wildfires left a lasting impact on the Gun Lake area, and recovery has been a shared community effort,' said SLRD board chair Jen Ford in a release. 'This tree replanting project is a powerful example of what we can achieve through collaboration across local government, industry partners, residents, non-profits and the Province.' The replanting initiative is part of a broader recovery effort led by the Land-Based Recovery Table , which ensures local representation as ecological restoration in the BRV moves forward. The group includes community leaders, Indigenous partners, the SLRD, provincial ministries, industry partners like CCS and local organizations including the Gun Lake Ratepayers Association. 'Thanks to Tree Canada's National Greening Program, we're able to work with landowners and create customized plans that strive to support long-term forest health,' said MacKendrick Hallworth, project manager at Cariboo Carbon Solutions, in a release. 'This initiative is about more than trees—it's about helping people recover and re-imagine what's next for their land,' he added. The seedlings, currently being cultivated at Arbutus Grove Nursery , are a mix of Douglas fir, lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine, hybrid spruce and western larch. Trembling aspen seeds are also being collected this spring to plant alongside the conifers. These seedlings are genetically suited to the local climate and will therefore not require watering, according to an information sheet from CCS . 'The community response has been heartening, as we know the replanting of trees is vitally important in the recovery and long-term resilience of regions impacted by fire,' said Colin Little, Tree Canada's national greening program manager. 'At Tree Canada, our mission is to inspire, educate and enable Canadians to plant and nurture trees in order to improve lives and address climate change. We're committed to helping communities across Canada recover from wildfires and restore their natural landscapes.' Eligible properties should have at least one hectare of plantable area, but exceptions can be made for smaller properties near other eligible sites. Residents interested in the program can apply by sending a completed CCS Private Landowner Intake Form to info@ . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
09-06-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Tree planting teaches P.E.I. students about nature
SLEMON PARK, P.E.I. – A ninth-grade Summerside Intermediate School science club got to spend a recent school day outside instead of in the classroom. The class spent their morning and early afternoon planting trees at a field in Slemon Park, P.E.I., on May 30. Hosted by the Bedeque Bay Environmental Management Association, students and volunteers planted approximately 192 trees during the Tree Canada event. Dave Allan, environmental projects co-ordinator for the management association, says activities like these are good for getting students out and aware of the environment around them. As the association starts its tree-planting initiative, its goal is to plant at least 3,500 by the end of the calendar year. 'We're probably a little more than halfway there,' Allan said. Allan has advice for people who want to plant a tree. It starts with making a ring around the area where the tree is to be planted with a shovel. 'Dig the hole about twice the size of the planting and make sure that it's going to be flush with the ground, the top of the soil,' he said. After the tree is in the hole, reuse the soil dug up and firmly use the dirt to patch around the edges, Allan added. 'But before putting the tree in the hole, break up the roots to try and help them spread out once they start to grow,' he said. In an interview with The Guardian on May 30, Lana Gillis, the management association's technician, says these trees will play a vital role for the wildlife. 'A lot of habitats within the trees, around the trees and it just brings the whole ecosystem together,' she said. It's also positive to see the youth partake in activities surrounding nature, Gillis added. 'It's really exciting, and I'm really happy that I'm here today to help them out with that,' she said. Depending on weather conditions, the trees that were planted at Slemon Park will take approximately one year to begin their maturing phase while they expand their ring year after year. 'It'll take a while for them to grow fully, but it'll be exciting to see,' Gillis said. Yutaro Sasaki is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter, a position funded by the federal government. He can be reached at ysasaki@ . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
National Post
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- National Post
HGreg plants 6,250 trees in Québec in 2025
Article content MONTRÉAL — Automotive Group HGreg continues its environmental commitment by announcing the planting of 6,250 trees in Québec this year as part of its annual Buy a Car, Plant a Tree campaign, carried out in partnership with Tree Canada. Article content Launched for the ninth year running, the initiative aims to support reforestation projects across the country. A total of 14,822 trees have been planted since the partnership began in 2016. Article content 'As a key player in our industry, we have a responsibility to play an active role in protecting the environment,' emphasizes Harry Kasparian, Vice President of Marketing for HGreg. 'That's why we're proud to renew our commitment to Tree Canada, this year and for years to come.' Article content The trees planted in 2025 will be located in the Bécancour RCM, on a former abandoned farm site close to the St. Lawrence River. This initiative seeks to revive a natural ecosystem by reintroducing native conifers that have ceased to naturally regenerate in this region. Article content About Tree Canada Article content Tree Canada is the only national non-profit organization dedicated to the planting and care of trees in rural and urban areas, in every province of the country. We contribute to the growth of Canada's forest cover through our programs, research and engagement efforts, and by providing grants to communities and schools. We are capacity-building thought leaders that collaborate with a network of industry and university experts as well as other non-profit organizations to help enhance the knowledge of communities and help municipalities plan and maintain local forest cover. Together with our partners and sponsors, we have planted over 84 million trees. About HGreg Established in 1993, HGreg is committed to simplifying the car-buying process through its core values of excellence in customer service, transparency, smart use of technology and a refreshing customer-focused philosophy. Supported by a passionate team of car enthusiasts, HGreg operates dealerships in Québec and the U.S., offering both new and pre-owned vehicles. For more information, visit Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content
