ForesTree Fest 2005-2007
The mountain pine beetle outbreak in BC started around 1994 and was quickly upgraded to an epidemic which swept across the centre of the province. By winter 2006, more than 9.2 million hectares of pine forests were killed.
The mountain pine beetle made its way to Prince George in 2000, and by 2003 parks were being logged. Beautiful parks had to be clearcut. The City removed over 500 logging truck loads of pine killed by this pest from parks and greenbelts between 2003 and 2007.
In 2005 the ForesTree Fest committee was formed and replanting city parks began immediately. Starting in honour of the City’s 90th anniversary, volunteers and sponsors helped plant more than 6360 trees of various species in parks around the city. The goal was to plant trees for beauty, species diversity and a future "FireSmart" forest in the City. We called this summer long community tree planting event “ForesTree Fest”. The three year replanting program operated from 2005 to 2007, with an appreciation event and tree planting held in September 2007 at the Railway and Forestry Museum to thank those involved.
Thank you to everyone who participated:
AiMHi Prince George Association for Community Living |
Ministry of Forests and Range Network of Forest Professionals PRT Redrock Nursery PortaJohn Prince George Woodlot Association Railway and Forestry Museum Remax Scouts Canada Spruce Credit Union TD Friends of the Environment Tree Canada – Green Streets Venture Forestry Consulting Ltd. Volunteers Winners Apparel Ltd. |
ForesTree Fest Partners with Communities in Bloom!
This year the promotion of tree planting within the City of Prince George will also become a much larger effort through a new partnership. Since winning
the National level Communities in Bloom competition, the City is not competing this year, rather, the Communities in Bloom Committee will be promoting
the Communities in Bloom program eight categories, including the category of Urban Forestry by creating a partnership with ForesTree Fest committee to
promote tree planting.
Arbour Day
Arbour Day is a celebration of trees and how they benefit the community. First originating in Nebraska USA in 1872, many Canadian cities have adopted a regionally appropriate day as their Arbour Day. The first in Canada took place in Prince Edward Island in the 1880's. Arbour Day is not set a date in either country, but rather a date appropriate for the local climate and other events.
Arbour Day in Prince George provides an ideal opportunity for many community initiatives, such as ForesTree Fest tree planting festival, as advocated by the International Society of Arborists. The whole community can become involved — schools can hold poster contests, libraries can highlight their books about trees and forests, and local governments can celebrate heritage trees around town.
To celebrate Arbour Day 2007, the third ForesTree Fest tree planting season will begin with an Arbour Day event at the Railway and Forestry Museum on May 5th 2007.
Mayor Colin Kinsley has proclaimed May 5, 2007 "Arbour Day". Click here for the proclamation [pdf].
Tree Planting Schedule for 2007
Everyone Welcome! Download the info sheet [PDF] with the ForesTree Fest schedule and instructions.
- May 5: Arbour Day at the Railway and Forestry Mueseum
- Includes an open house with park replanting plans, for residents to review park restoration and planting plans, to provide comments and feedback before plans are complete
- Railway and Forestry Mueseum
- Arbour Day celebration
- 10:00am to 2:00pm.
- May 6: Christopher Park
- 1:30pm to 2:30pm
- May 12: Bednesti Park
- 10:00am to 11:00am
- May 12: Cherry Park
- 11:30am to 12:30pm
- May 26: Pinecone Park
- 10:00am to 11:00am
- May 26: Byng Park
- 11:30am to 12:30pm
- June 3: Alward Park
- 1:00pm to 2:00pm
- June 7: Carrie Jane Grey Park
- With PGSS
- 12:15pm to 1:30pm
- Sept 8: Wrap-up Event, Railway and Forestry Museum
- 11:00am to 1:00 pm
- PDF Invitation to everyone who helped support this program and everyone that helped plant the trees
Tree Planting Information Brochures
- How to plant a seedling tree
- Planting a tree on your residential property
- Tree Planting Information from Communities In Bloom PG
Previous Years of ForesTree Fest in Prince George
Information and photos from previous years ForesTree Fest events is available on their own pages.