The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Elvis Loveless, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture:
On September 23 I had the pleasure of participating in National Forest Week and National Tree Day celebrations at C.C. Loughlin Elementary School in Corner Brook.
Mr. Speaker, 2020 marks the 100th National Forest Week. It presents a great opportunity to raise awareness, particularly among our youth, about the true value of our forest resources and consider how they positively contribute to our health and happiness.
I was joined by students, teachers, Conservation Officers with the Forest Service of Newfoundland and Labrador and special guest Smokey Bear on a beautiful fall morning to plant a Red Maple Tree to commemorate National Forest Week and National Tree Day.
Mr. Speaker, as part of the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture outreach education efforts, forestry staff also provided 3,000 tree seedlings produced at the Centre of Agriculture and Forestry Research in Wooddale to students at schools throughout the province.
In addition, a provincial poster contest based on this year’s National Forest Week theme ‘Healthy Forests – Healthy Future’ remains open to K-12 students until October 16. I encourage all students in the province to submit an entry.
Mr. Speaker, I also wish to use this occasion to thank our province’s dedicated team of forest professionals who take great pride in the sustainable management and protection of our forests. Their efforts not only support our commitment to healthy forests but also benefit forest sector jobs and the communities that rely on them.
Thank you.