Tree Plantation. Image credit: Unsplash/Gaurang Alat
Vancouver/CMEDIA: More than reportedly 280 million trees were planted in B.C. forests in 2024 due to the Province’s efforts.
Ravi Parmar, British Columbia (B.C.) Minister of Forests said that B.C.’s commitment to sustainable forests has seen it lead the country by planting more than two billion trees since 2017.
2024 was a banner year for tree planting in B.C., including celebrating 10 billion trees planted since 1930,
Since the beginning of reforestation programs in 1930, caring for B.C.’s forests has come a long way.
In an effort to preserve natural ecosystems and prioritize key characteristics, such as resilience to climate change, meticulous planning went into the selection of types of trees to be seeded and encouraged to grow on public lands, 13 different native tree species were chosen this year.
In addition to the work undertaken by forest tenure holders as part of their legal requirements to regenerate harvested areas, the Province’s 2024 reforestation efforts were primarily focused on fire-damaged areas.
“We are in good shape right now…to tackling the impacts of climate change through adaptation and keeping reforestation programs at a level to help regrow our forests…Our members have been adapting to the concept of a restoration economy targeting ecosystem resilience through all kinds of different planting programs,” said John Betts, executive director, Western Forestry Contractors’ Association in today’s news release.
A division of the Ministry of Forests, B.C. Timber Sales (BCTS) is responsible for managing vast areas of forested public land, also marking a milestone this year.
With over one billion trees having been planted since the organization was founded in 2003, BCTS supports local jobs and communities every year. by issuing approximately 40 tree-planting contracts to small business operators throughout the province.
