Prince George’s Pacific Western Brewing (PWB) continues to contribute to reforestation efforts in our region.
PWB’s “Cariboo Cares” reforestation program continued this summer with the planting of more than 70,000 spruce and lodgepole pine seedlings about 50 kilometres northwest of Quesnel.
“At PWB, we believe in investing where we live, and our ongoing reforestation program is a vital component of our commitment to Prince George and, indeed, all of B.C.,” PWB CEO Taizan Komatsu said in a press release from PWB.
The planting area is between Quesnel and Prince George.
“This year’s planting comes at a critical time for the forestry-dependent Interior,” said brewery general manager Scott Rattee. “The downturn in the forest sector has taken a heavy toll, with several hundred direct and indirect jobs lost in Prince George and neighbouring Interior communities.”
Last year, PWB and its customers funded the planting of thousands of seedlings at the site of the devastating Elephant Hill fire east of 70 Mile House.
“The unprecedented mountain pine beetle outbreak followed by catastrophic fires in 2017 and 2018 are going to require a huge effort to reforest,” forester Neil Hughes of the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resources and Rural Development’s Resource Practices Branch, said in the release. “Having local companies like PWB recognize the situation and, more importantly, step up to do something to help is a wonderful example for others to follow.”
Taizan agrees.
“To be able to help regenerate new forests in joint effort with the provincial government on Crown land is what the Cariboo Cares campaign is all about, and it is good for B.C.,” he said.
— Quesnel News Staff
READ MORE: Select Seed Co. looking to establish new lodgepole pine seed orchard in Quesnel
editor@quesnelobserver.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter