Courtesy of Domtar
Tree planting season has arrived in northwestern Ontario.
Bonny Skene is with Domtar and says this year they have two projects on the go:
1. Trout Lake Forest in the Red Lake/Ear Falls area. Approximately 100 workers. Mid-May to end of June. Planting about 8.5-million trees.
2. Wabigoon Forest in immediate Dryden area. Approximately 51 workers. Early May to mid-June. Planting about 3.1-million trees.
Skene says that’s more than 11-million trees to keep our forests sustainable and our mills in operation.
With some 150 planters working in the area, Skene says they will follow similar and successful COVID protocols as last year.
“Tree planters, who obviously are coming from other areas, their required to self-isolate 14 days prior to their project starting. They need to have their COVID safe travel plan approved by a travel coordinator.”
Skene says workers can’t leave camp and only one person will be allowed to head into town as a designated runner for food and supplies.
She adds each tree plant has a dedicated COVID coordinator who monitors health and safety protocols and addresses any potential problems.
Skeene says, “Both of the contractors are experienced in terms of health and safety protocols and making sure that their practices are protecting the health of the tree planters and by extension community members in the context of the pandemic.”
From Domtar
