National Tree Nursery Meeting: Report on Recommendations
Download the PDF: National-Tree-Nursery-Meeting-Report_23_04_12.pdf
April 11 to 12, 2023
Ottawa, ON
Prepared by Forests Ontario
Report on Recommendations
National Tree Nursery Meeting
Marriott Hotel, Ottawa – April 11 and 12, 2023
Situational Analysis
The session was convened in response to observations by Forest Ontario’s CEO Rob Keen and COO Liz Celanowicz, who met with several tree nurseries and planting organisations across Canada during two site visit series in 2022 and 2023.
Nurseries consistently noted that they had not heard much about the 2 Billion Tree Program and had not been contacted by recipients of Contribution Agreements to secure seedlings.
Forest Ontario representatives found this concerning, recognising:
A large capacity increase is required in all parts of the tree planting supply chain to achieve the 2BTP target of 2 billion trees by 2031.
There is little visible increase in capacity to date.
Context of Capacity Increase
Canada currently produces about 600 million seedlings annually to meet legally required reforestation commitments.
When the 2BTP was announced in 2019, an additional 200 million seedlings each year would have been needed to meet program targets by March 31, 2031. This represents a 33 percent increase across the entire supply chain.
As of 2023, with eight years remaining and only 29 million seedlings reported planted, annual planting levels must rise to 286 million per year, a 48 percent increase.
Executive Summary of Key Observations and Recommendations
Participants represented 84 percent of national nursery capacity. NRCan representatives attended and contributed program updates and context.
Attendees:
Collin Phillips (PRT, Can) – 300M
Scot Formaniuk (Coast to Coast Reforestation and Tree Time Services, AB) – 60M
Jade Dewar and Kevin Wasylenko (Manitoba Metis Federation) – planning to grow and distribute 2M trees
Mike Downing (Harrington Tree Nursery, PQ) – part of 12 private nurseries, collectively 100M
Henry Yang (K and C Silviculture, BC) – 42M
Paul Richardson (Pineneedle Farms Inc., ON) – 2M
Maureen Jacques (Ferguson Tree Nursery, ON) – 2.5M
Judi Tetro (Brinkman and Associates)
Rob Keen, Mark McDermid and Don Huff (Forests Ontario)
Andrew Pope and Anne Helene (NRCan)
Randi Anderson (Minister Wilkinson’s office)
Summary of Comments and Recommendations
1. Communications
Observations:
• Nurseries have not been well informed since the program launched.
• About 175 million seedlings have been awarded through Contribution Agreements, yet nurseries were not contacted to secure stock, despite being named in proposals.
• Long term targets and projections must be shared with nurseries so they can plan production.
Recommendations:
• Engage nurseries in long term 2BTP projections.
• Notify nurseries when they are named in Contribution Agreements.
• Require documentation proving engagement with nurseries before approval.
• Improve outreach and information sharing.
2. Capacity Incentives
Observations:
• Existing nurseries can expand more cost effectively than building new ones in serviced areas.
• If federal government wants increased capacity, funding should support capital investments, mechanisation and system optimisation.
• Significant financial risk exists when nurseries grow seedlings without long term contracts.
Recommendations:
• Create funding mechanisms for capital investments and mechanisation.
• Support development of long term supply contracts.
3. Labour Shortages
Observations:
• Labour shortages already affect both nurseries and tree planting organisations.
• Approximately 10,000 people currently work in tree planting. This may need to double by 2028.
• Some nurseries hire migrant workers, but the process is complicated and requires long term commitments.
• Tree planting organisations cannot realistically use migrant labour due to short and transient work periods.
• Skilled nursery staff are retiring and hard to replace.
• Training and mentoring programs would help.
Recommendations:
• Remove barriers and improve access to migrant labour.
• Develop mentoring programs to support transfer of knowledge from experienced growers to new workers.
4. Long Term Vision of the 2BTP
Observations:
• Infrastructure takes one to two years to build and seedlings take one to two years to grow. This leaves about five years (2025 to 2031) for nurseries to recover their investments.
• Many asked what happens after March 31, 2031. If the program ends, what happens to expanded capacity.
• Extending the program beyond 2031 would support long term investments.
• Increasing capacity is unlikely if the program ends abruptly.
• A full tree planting program must integrate seed collection, processing, storage, stock production, planting agencies, landowner outreach, monitoring, follow up treatments and reporting.
Recommendations:
• Extend commitments beyond 2031 to focus on long term capacity, not just a fixed target.
• Rebuild the program to ensure integration of all supply chain components with transparency and accountability.
5. Need for a National Tree Seedling Association
Observations:
• A national voice for forest restoration seedling growers is needed.
• An association would support communication, recruitment, expert guidance and government relations.
• NRCan suggested potential support through a 150 to 200 thousand dollar capacity grant.
Recommendations:
• Develop a proposal to establish a National Tree Seedling Association (NTSA).
• Proposal should include bylaws, membership structure, website, communication tools and budgets.
• NRCan will explore funding opportunities with an expectation that the association becomes self sufficient within three to four years.
Appendix A: Overview and Meeting Agenda
Includes session descriptions, rationale, participant list, accommodation details and agenda.
Appendix B
Bridging the Gap – Analysis of Labour Shortages in the Forestry Sector
Includes Executive Summary and supporting reports.