2025-05-05 CTNA Newsletter EN Print
Download the PDF: CTNA_Newsletter_EN_Print_05-05-24.pdf
Restoring Canada’s green spaces, begins with tree nurseries.
DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
The following is an update regarding the activities of the Canadian Tree Nursery Association. Our efforts over the last five months have been dedicated to enhancing the Association's visibility, expanding our membership base, and engaging with governmental representatives to address the following issues:
EXTEND THE 2 BILLION TREE PROJECT BEYOND THE YEAR 2031
ENHANCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF SKILLED NURSERY WORKERS
OUR PAST ACTIVITIES AS OF APRIL 2024
OCTOBER 2023
CTNA-ACPF was officially launched at the 2023 Atlantic Nursery Conference to enhance information exchange and increase efficiencies between nurseries and become a single voice representing the interest of Canada’s tree nurseries.
A letter was sent to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau outlining the need to extend the 2 Billion Trees Project beyond 2031 for a long term commitment to forest restoration and address the skilled labor issue in large scale forest restoration nursery management.
“This is an important and overdue step and will help the nursery sector make even more of a positive impact to both local economies and employment as well as ensuring healthy forests which provide critical habitats, carbon sinks and sources of sustainable forest products”
~ ROB KEEN, RPF
NOVEMBER 2023 - 2 BILLION TREES
A meeting with the 2BTP staff was held in Ottawa in November, followed by a submission of the Skills Development proposal to the 2BTP Capacity Grant Program to develop training opportunities (co-op) focused on skilled nursery workers.
DECEMBER 2023
A meeting with Minister Smith, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry was held in Toronto, ON on December 12th.
JANUARY 2024
We were a keynote speaker at the Nottawasaga Conservation Authority, ON where the CTNA was introduced.
We attended the Western Forestry Contractors Association Conference, in Victoria, BC to present on the Association.
FEBRUARY 2024
On February 15th, we heard of potential funding reductions in Alberta’s Wildfire Reclamation Program. This prompted us to submit a letter to Minister Loewen, Minister of Forestry and Parks, outlining the impacts this would have on the nursery sector.
We attended the Forests Ontario Annual Conference held on February 28th to introduce the Canadian Tree Nursery Association and the role of Canadian nurseries to produce the appropriate tree seedlings to ensure healthy forests for our future.
MARCH 2024
We traveled to British Columbia for meetings with member nurseries. As well as our newest members Landing Nursery Ltd and Eagle Rock Nursery, Tolko Industries. Additionally, we had discussions with Minister Mercier, Minister of State for Workforce Development, addressing the shortage of skilled nursery workers and emphasizing the importance of provincial support for nursery training programs.
Letters were dispatched to Forestry Ministers in QC, PEI, NB, NS, and NL, requesting a meeting to discuss the necessity of backing forest restoration efforts and programs aimed at fostering skilled nursery workers.
We had a successful webinar with the National Tree Seed Centre! With 263 people registered, it was fantastic to see so many from around the world interested in the work of those involved in ensuring high-quality seed and stock is available for forest restoration efforts.
We would like to give a huge shoutout to our speakers for sharing their invaluable insights on nursery efficiencies, greenhouse innovations, and the latest advancements in seedling production.
MORE ABOUT SPRING AHEAD
Spring Ahead: 2024 National Tree Seed Centre and Nursery Technical Update Participant Origin Map
SPRING AHEAD KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Rob Keen
Executive Director / Directeur exécutif, Canadian Tree Nursery Association–Association Canadienne des Pépinières Forestières
Melissa Spearing
Seed Biologist / Biologiste des semences, National Tree Seed Centre (NTSC), Natural Resources Canada
Donnie McPhee
Forestry Officer / Officier forestier, National Tree Seed Centre (NTSC), Natural Resources Canada
Dr. Sean Thomas
NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Biochar and Ecosystem Restoration, University of Toronto
Brian Barber
CEO, Select Seed Co. Ltd, British Columbia
Dave Kolotelo
Cone and Seed Improvement Officer, BC Tree Seed Centre, British Columbia
Lorne Boissonneault
2 Billion Tree Program Manager / Manager du programme 2 milliards d'arbres, Natural Resources Canada
Lucie Lavoie
Senior Forester / Forestier senior, Atlantic Forestry Centre, Natural Resources Canada
Dr. Katri Himanen
Senior Scientist, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)
Michael Taylor
Nursery Specialist / Spécialiste des pépinières, Blackmore Company, USA
Corenthin (Félix) Chassouant
Agronomist / Agronome, Harnois Industries, QC
Deb Pella Keen
Executive Director / Directeur exécutif, Maple Leaves Forever
We also want to express our gratitude to our sponsors, Maple Leaves Forever, Harnois Industries | Greenhouse & Fabric Building Manufacturer, and our most recent sponsor Blackmore Company. Your generous support allowed us to bring together experts for a productive discussion.
A special thanks to Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) | Ressources Naturelles Canada - National Tree Seed Centre and the Canadian Institute of Forestry / Institut forestier du Canada for their collaboration and support in making this event possible.
APRIL 2024
Although this has not been made public yet, we have been conditionally approved for our capacity-building proposal aimed at addressing the shortage of skilled nursery workers. The next steps will include connecting with our members, forest industry, forest educational institutes, First Nations and other governments to develop a curriculum and program that will provide the necessary skills needed by the nursery sector.
This is to advise you that Natural Resources Canada has provided conditional approval for your capacity building proposal, entitled Skilled Labour in the Tree Nursery Sector, submitted to the 2 Billion Trees program.
We have gained 704 followers on our Linkedin page so far, and it has been consistently increasing thanks to everyone who shares and likes our posts.
NURSERY MEMBER MAP
CTNA-ACPF currently represents 57 nurseries who collectively produce over 640 million native seedlings to support Canada’s forest restoration efforts. As the value of tree planting and demand for forest restoration continues to grow, so will the demand for native tree seedlings. CTNA-ACPF will play a pivotal role in advancing the efforts of Canadian tree nurseries to meet this demand. Through collective action and sharing best practices, CTNA-ACPF members will ensure the appropriate supply of high-quality tree seedlings to successfully restore our nation's forests.
Enhancing awareness of the tree nursery sector in Canada with key audiences, including policymakers, industry stakeholders and the public is core to our mandate. Strong partnership and engagement is critical in strengthening our network and our industry. This could not be done without the ongoing generosity of supporters and partners who believe in our mission.
FUTURE OBJECTIVES
MAY 2024
We will be attending the BC First Nations Forestry Conference on May 31st to focus on youth engagement in our future skilled nursery program.
JUNE 2024
This spring we'll be embarking on a tour of Eastern Canada, visiting our members, numerous nurseries and engaging with forest ministry staff in Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Additionally, we're planning a tour of Northern Ontario this summer and Western Canada this fall to connect with our members and continue discussions with government representatives.