Staff at Western Forest Products’ Saanich Forestry Centre are hard at work sowing the first crop of seedlings in four new greenhouses, part of recent capital investments in the Centre. The newest greenhouses include the most modern and energy-efficient heating and irrigation systems, supporting Western’s ability to go from seed to manufactured products, and showcasing the Company’s dedication to sustainability.

The new facilities will expand Western’s annual growth capacity by 750,000 seedlings, or an additional 20 per cent. The increased capacity will create more and lengthier seasonal employment opportunities at the Saanich Centre. And, in addition to being utilized for the reforestation cycles on Western’s tenures, the extra seedlings will support opportunities for special projects.

Western is using our expertise and additional nursery resources to further our work with First Nations:

• Western is assisting the Tsarlip First Nation and Saanich Peninsula Stream Society with reforestation on Mayne Island by collecting big leaf maple germinants and Pacific yew cuttings and sowing them in our greenhouses.
• Western has partnered with Thichum Forest Products to reforest select parcels on Tla’amin territory.
• We’re collaborating with the We Wai Kai Nation on habitat enhancements on Quadra Island.

Western and our partners have planted nearly 73,000 trees for the Government of Canada’s 2 Billion Trees (2BT) program, with another 60,000 on the horizon. The goal is to assist with plantings that go beyond typical reforestation activity on Western’s tenures. Some activities to date:

• Reforestation of deactivated roads and industrial sites near Port McNeill and Woss, to increase carbon sequestration and wildlife habitat, as well as public enjoyment.
• A 4,400 tree-plant along a 3+ kilometer stretch of Canyon Mainline for extra slope stabilization around White River.
• New tree planting along riverfronts in Gold River, as part of a plan to improve fish and wildlife habitat, facilitated by a growing partnership between the Nootka Sound Watershed Society and Western.
• The re-plant of a large swath of private agricultural property near Courtenay, where the landowner has chosen to sow trees rather than crops. Western is assisting with the suitability assessment and reforestation plan.

Read more about Western’s commitment to sustainability and carbon accountability here: sustainability.westernforest.com.