Tree planting and so much more for Grade four students at the Huestis Demonstration Forest

The Huestis Demonstration Forest was brimming with grade four students from Central School and St. Joseph School on May 31 for the 3^rd Annual Tree Planting Field Day. The one-day event hosted 195 students and when added up to include teachers, parents, and staff, the count was around 300.

Students participated in reforestation work being conducted in the demonstration forest while learning about forest ecology, science, and stewardship. Throughout the day, students interacted with industry and government forestry professionals and were guided through different stations that were set up around the forest area.

One of the stations the children took part in was hosted by the Wildfire staff which included Whitecourt Fire Chief Brian Wynn. Students were shown how to be FireSmart by properly creating and then putting out a campfire.  They were also taught about removing low branches and dry grass to keep wildfire risk lower and what to do in an emergency such as if you catch on fire. Hint: it’s stop, drop, and roll.

From tree planting to forest measurements such as learning the height and age of a tree, to learning how to be FireSmart, trapping, and recreation including setting up a proper campsite, students were given a wide array of opportunities to learn about the forest. Tents were also set up for different crafts including gnome garden houses and the lunch area where the children enjoyed a barbecue provided by Woodlands County.

Heather Robertson-Gagne, the Community Engagement Lead with Alberta Environment and Parks, said the day went very well. “It’s amazing how all the partners who sit on the Huestis Committee come together to host this.  We’ve got the three forest companies in town: Alberta Newsprint, Blue Ridge Lumber, and Millar Western; Woodlands County, Inside Education, NAIT, the Alberta Trappers Association, Whitecourt Trailblazers, University of Alberta, Work Wild, Northern Gateway Public Schools, and the Alberta Forest Products Association. All those partners work together to host this full day field trip.”

The highlight of the day was when the kids helped reforest a previously harvested cut block. “A couple of years ago, high school students actually got to come out whenever the harvesting equipment was working, and they got to see that aspect, and now we have the grade four students replanting that same cut block. There are plans to do five cut blocks throughout the demonstration forest over the next 10 years or so. That way we will be able to have these kids out here every year.”

The day truly highlights that the forest industry is sustainable. “That’s what the forest industry is really excited about, to share the careers that they can get into in forestry and how it can be done in such a way that it helps out the environment,” said Heather.

The Huestis Demonstration Forest (HDF) is a forest education site located 12 km northwest of Whitecourt on Hwy 32.