Thousands of trees to be planted in northern Saskatchewan

On Thursday night, Saskatchewan companytentree announced itsplanstoplant 7,000 trees in the Lac La RongeProvincial Parkin partnership with the provincial government.

Last summer, theLac La Ronge areawas severely burned by thewildfires that ravaged the north. Entire sections of the forest were decimated.

Details of the revitalization project wererevealed during thefirst night of SaskatchewanFashion Week.

As a brand that plants trees, that's what we're experts in. We're not looking to fight fires, we need to wait for the storm to settle and to assess the area.-Arthur Kononuk, creative director, tentree

Creative director ArthurKononuk saidtheyweren't expecting the projectto take off so quickly, because of how bigthe idea and the collaboration effortswere, but it did.

"Wewere able to find a perfect opportunity to launch it at Sask. Fashion Week."

They've collaborated with non-profits and other brands before, but this istentree'sfirst partnership with the government.

In the early stages of the project,tentree employees and government officialstoured the damaged northern forests.

The tour through the barren sites was emotional for Kononuk.

"It felt a lot different than watching it on TVor watching it on your computer.When you go and drive through these places that were burnt down, and all that remains are charred trees, it'san extremely eerie feeling and an overwhelming experience."

However, the experience was also exciting for Kononuk and his colleagues because they understood reforestation would bepossible.

"We have hope for the future."

The Wildfire Capsule

The company is familiar with anenvironment-focused businessmodel as they plant10 trees forevery item sold.

The newly released Wildfire Capsule is aline of 700 t-shirtsand posters. Sales from this line will result in the new Lac La Ronge trees.Kononuk says theseriesstands out because every shirt and every poster is unique.

Burnt trees taken from theLac LaRongearea were used to create the designs.

"They're printed basically with a spoon and a hand," Kononuksaid.

They worked with local business Articulate Ink to find a way to make the concept happen. The logistics of how to get the tree prints onto the items wasthe most challenging part of the project,he added.

The process isn't digital, and it demandedintensive labour as well as particular technique.

"It's an interesting way to commemorate the loss of the trees, but also a sign of the future for the reforestation efforts that we're going to be helping stimulate."

The plan

Planting will take place this summer, around early June. The chosen team ofplanters live in theLac La Ronge and Prince Albert area.

The majority of trees will be planted in thecampground areas. A location listing will be available online.

The species of trees and the locations were determined by the Ministry of Environment.

"Working with tentree on this project has been a great opportunity for the Province," Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Mark Docherty said in a press release.

"Though the boreal forest naturally regenerates itself, this opportunity to kick start the growth will be beneficial for the visitors of Lac La Ronge Provincial Park, who love the beauty and serenity that the forest environment offers."

Kononuk said they planned with tourists in mind, noting they wantto fill in the sparse spaces and restorethe natural privacy that was onceoffered by thetrees.

He noted the goal isto stimulate and supplement the vegetation growth that has already begun naturally. When tentreefirst toured the area,they noticed there was evident signs of regrowthjustmonthsafter thewildfires.

"Wildfire will clear out millions and millions of trees, but it is a natural occurrence and it will regrow."

Wildfires to the west

The companyhas been focused on Saskatchewan, but they've already fielded questions aboutFort McMurray.

They shipped boxes of clothing donations to the evacuees on Thursday, andKononuk said they willwait for the situation to cool down before they act.

"As a brand that plants trees, that's what we're experts in. We're not looking to fight fires, we need to wait for the storm to settle and to assess the area."

He notedsome proceeds from the Wildfire Capsule project will go to the victims of the Fort McMurray fire.

The website for the new line launches at 12:00 a.m. CST Friday.

In 2012, tentreefound success onCBC'sDragons' Denand they were offered an investment of $100,000 for their environmentally-friendly clothing line.

The brandhas since branched out and can be found inmore than 350 locations in Canada.