Federal gov’t contributes $331K for tree planting after 2021 Nk’Mip Creek wildfire – Okanagan
Two years after the Nk’Mip wildfires, which burned 19,000 hectares near Oliver, British Columbia, in the summer of 2021, thousands of trees will soon be planted in the southern Okanagan.
On Friday, the Federal Department of Natural Resources announced a donation of $331,000 to the Osoyoos Indian Band’s Nk’Mip Creek wildfire restoration project.
The funding comes from the 2 Billion Trees Program, which aims to plant 2 billion trees nationwide over 10 years, according to the ministry.
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For the southern Okanagan and wildfire-burned land at Nk’Mip Creek, that money translates into 70,000 trees.
Nk’Mip Forest Manager Vern Louie said:
“Combined with the carbon sink benefits of these trees and shrubs, this is an important project and we are delighted to have the support of Natural Resource Canada.”
“Planting fire-resistant trees such as aspen, ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and western larch not only sequesters carbon, but also improves the biodiversity and wildfire resilience of the project area,” says the expert. Forest manager Peter Frett said.
The federal government says that planting the right trees in the right areas at the right time will increase Canada’s ability to fight climate change.
Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said: “Canada’s commitment to planting two billion trees is an important part of our collective efforts to address the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.
“Today’s announcement further advances efforts to expand forests, capture and store atmospheric carbon, improve air and water quality, restore nature and biodiversity, and create sustainable jobs. It helps create.”
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