CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — P.E.I. is putting $1 million in provincial funding toward programs to replace trees damaged during Fiona. The money will be used to expand the J. Frank Gaudet Tree Nursery and work with community partners and landowners on tree planting projects. The tree nursery is adding three new greenhouses and tree production to plant up to 1.3 million trees per year. The province noted there are four different streams for the P.E.I. 2 Billion Tree Program, with support available for agriculture operations, watershed groups, landowners and municipalities. Provincial staff will help agricultural sectors expand forested areas, help to plant in watersheds and enroll local landowners in planting plans. …Environment, Energy and Climate Action Minister Steven Myers said the province is committed to increasing tree production by 30 per cent to 1.3 million trees planted per year.

A Liberal MLA says he’s happy to see the province’s commitment to replanting trees after post-tropical storm Fiona, but he’s concerned about how the government will provide all the trees needed to do the job. On Monday, government announced it’s looking to grow the 2 Billion Trees Program by 30 per cent — which amounts to 1.3 million trees planted each year to help restore damaged forests. The provincial government is contributing $1 million to expand the J. Frank Gaudet Tree Nursery in Charlottetown — P.E.I.’s largest tree seedling production facility. The funding includes costs for trees, planting tools, equipment rentals and professional tree planting services. Liberal MLA Robert Henderson raised the issue in the P.E.I. Legislature Tuesday and said he’s spoken to forestry contractors and technicians who are having a hard time getting seedlings to plant.

Quebec’s massive wildfires have forced most of the province’s wilderness outfitters to shut down during one of their busiest seasons. While some have been closed due to active fires, dozens of others have been forced to cancel reservations by a government order limiting access to forests in much of the province. Dominic Dugré, the president of Fédération des pourvoiries du Québec, an industry association, said that of the more than 500 outfitters who operate in Quebec’s forests, 350 have been forced to close. …While some hunters and anglers might be able to return later in the year, or change their bookings to next spring, he expects most will ask for refunds. Dugré said he hopes there will be government compensation for the lost revenue. …”It’s also a natural disaster. They should help people who are affected by the forest fires,” Gilles Trudel, who owns Wetetnagami Outfitter said.

Biologist Steeve Côté has seen forest fires engulf parts of the province of Quebec before and he knew it would happen again. He just didn’t expect it so soon.  …Côté says the fires’ impact on wildlife will vary depending on the species. “Some species could move away relatively rapidly — like birds for instance — and the large mammals as well, like wolves and moose and deer,” said Côté. “But for the smaller species, especially the small mammals that are quite often at the base of the food chain, it’s a lot more complex. They cannot move really fast. The fires sometimes … they can go up to 50 metres a minute. This is too fast for small mammals.” …Animals that do manage to escape a major forest fire could struggle to survive in their new location, said Côté. …Some species flourish if their predators have left the area.