WATERAX IN SUPPORT OF ONE TREE PLANTED

At WATERAX, we are dedicated to doing our part to rejuvenate environments devastated by wildfires—and what better way than planting trees? Each new tree contributes to cleaner air and water, improved biodiversity, and sequestering carbon, while mitigating climate change and creating a healthier world for everyone.

Replenishing the forest and supporting its growth are essential for the wellbeing of our planet and for the countless people whose jobs rely on it. Every tree planted also helps to secure opportunities for all Canadians in the long term.

This May, Gabriella was representing WATERAX in Siwash, British Columbia, 6 hours north of Vancouver, with One Tree Planted where they were planting 130,000 trees as part of a forest fire recovery project where the Elephant Hill wildfire happened last summer.

She met great people involved in reforesting the province who are doing amazing things at all levels. From the tree planters to people in government, the degree of creative problem-solving, planning and hard work that goes into this industry is inspiring.

ELEPHANT HILL FIRE

The fire was discovered on Thursday, July 06, 2017 and approximately 191,865.0 hectares were burned in 76 days. It was one of the most devastating in a record-breaking wildfire season for B.C. At the height of the fires, nearly 50,000 people were forced to flee their homes as flames scorched huge swaths of timber, bush and grassland.

The wildfire service estimates just over 12,000 square kilometres of land has been burned and firefighting efforts have cost more than $500 million since the season began, April 1.

REFORESTATION

The tree seedlings are planted close to obstacles such as burnt trees or rocks to prevent them from being eaten by cattle and to protect them from the cold weather during winter. Different type of trees need to be planted and the trees chosen need to be appropriate for the growing site and management objectives.

The burnt trees are left behind to provide shade, warmth, moisture and to prevent soil erosion for the newly planted trees to hopefully thrive.

The girls from Siwash Lake Wilderness Resort, part of the National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World program, told us about how they managed to protect their family ranch from the Elephant Hill Fire. They stayed to fight the fire and keep their life's work alive. It was amazing to meet the owners, hear their courageous story and how they are rebuilding in the wake of such a catastrophic force of nature.

You can read the whole story on their website.

Here is the link to our Facebook album to view ALL the pictures from the Forest Fire Recovery Project with One Tree Planted.

VIEW PICTURES

Talking in these videos is Bill Layton, RPF from Zanzibar Holdings Ltd.