PROJECT REPORT
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT Dear friend, Thanks to your support, a total of 130,000 trees were planted to restore 84 hectares of land in Alberta. Planting trees in areas that have been degraded or deforested helps the environment by accelerating and assuring the re-establishment of healthy forests. Through reforestation, the canopy is restored, ecosystems are made whole, and biodiversity can thrive. None of this would be possible without you. On behalf of everyone at One Tree Planted, thank you! What follows is a report outlining the project you supported in Alberta. I hope you enjoy reading it and truly feel the impact you have made.
OVERVIEW The objective of the Alberta 2023 - Sparrow Project was to reforest private land in an area where it is susceptible to clearing for agriculture (as cropland or pastureland for cattle). By restoring the area, this project aims to replicate the historical forest on the property and create key wildlife habitat, enhance biodiversity, and bring about numerous ecological benefits to the local community.
TREES PLANTED 130,000
TREE SPECIES PLANTED 2
FAMILIES BENEFITED 1
HECTARES REFORESTED 85
WOMEN INVOLVED 3 JOBS SUPPORTED 25 PEOPLE BENEFITED FROM TRAINING 15
ACRES REFORESTED 210 WILDLIFE SPECIES BENEFITED 30
TREE SPECIES PLANTED Three native species were planted across 210 acres of land for this project: white spruce (picea glauca), black spruce (picea mariana), and tamarack (larix laricina). The planting sites were located on a private land portion of Alberta where most landowners clear their land for agriculture or pastureland. Thus, areas of young spruce dominated forests are relatively few. This project used planting as an effective method to reforest the land and eventually return it to a spruce dominated mixed-wood forest. Species selections were made with natural climate solutions in mind, ultimately leading to a strategy for improving local biodiversity, enhancing natural resources and improving many ecological functions of the forest, such as soil stabilization and water purification. Heavily influenced by this plan was the selection of tree species intended to restore the forest. It was decided that a mix of white spruce, black spruce, and tamarack would be used in order to replicate the natural, native structure of the forest. Planting density came in at around 1,600 trees per hectare — or, 650 trees per acre. No site preparation, nor post-planting treatment was recommended, since the level of competition is not likely to cause significant mortality, and the regeneration of aspen (populus tremuloides) will complement the established spruce well. Further, no site preparation was required as the planting was done with a microsite focused approach, allowing the sites to retain already present vegetation and result in a diverse, coniferous dominated mixedwood forest that is resilient to insects and forest fires.
SPECIES PLANTED THROUGH THIS PROJECT White Spruce (Picea glauca) - 100,170 Black Spruce (Picea Mariana) - 20,250 Tamarack (Larix laricina) - 10,260
TREE SPECIES
IDENTIFICATION & USE There are over 40 different species of spruce, 5 of which are native to Canada. White Spruce, otherwise known as Picea Glauca, spans from Newfoundland and Labrador to the west, and across Canada along the northern limit of trees to Hudson Bay, Northwest Territories, and Yukon. Also known as the ‘Canadian spruce,’ white spruce can grow to 40 meters tall and on a variety of land forms and soil types, including riparian, upland, and tree line sites. White spruce are large trees with a narrow crown and yellow-brown twigs. Their cones are cylindrical and the scales can be easily broken apart (distinguishing it from red and black spruce, whose cones are round or egg-shaped with stiff scales). Its needles are an attractive blue-green, contrasting well with its small, brown cones. In an ecosystem, white spruce fulfill a vital ecological role, providing food in the form of seeds for numerous species of animals, including seed-eating birds, small mammals, and insects. Additionally, white spruce provide cover and habitat to a range of species, such as vole, American marten, moose, black bear and caribou. When it’s not busy serving wildlife, white spruce roots contribute to soil stability — and, because of its dense form, it’s also well suited as a windbreak or screen. White spruce is a very important commercial tree species: it’s wood is used for pulp, paddles, piano sounding boards and dimension lumber. Young spruce tips can be eaten fresh or cooked in the springtime, and its cones can be used to make decorative wreaths. Furthermore, the needles can be dried and ground into a powder for use in baking or to make tea. Black Spruce, also known as Picea Mariana, are small-medium conifer evergreen trees with narrow, compact conical crowns and gray-ish brown bark. Needles of the black spruce are blue-green, pointed, and have a strong, pungent smell when crushed between your fingers. Black spruce grow in swampy areas with poorly drained soil, and are often found along balsam fir and white spruce. Chickadee will frequently visit spruce branches to search for food, build nests and raise their young. One can also find red squirrel, hawk, owl and flycatcher doing the same. Black spruce wood is yellow-white in color, relatively soft, and commonly used for paper pulp.
ONE OF THE BEST PARTS OF WORKING ON THIS PROJECT WAS MEETING AND CHATTING WITH THE FORESTER. HE IS VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT HIS WORK AND HAD LIVED ON THIS PROPERTY FOR DECADES BEFORE WE ARRIVED, SO THE CONNECTION TO THE LAND WAS HELD IN REVERENCE IN A SPECIAL WAY.
YOUR IMPACT ON THE MAP The Alberta 2023 - Sparrow Project supported the planting of 130,000 coniferous trees across 210 acres of private land near Perryvale, Alberta for the purpose of restoring wildlife habitat and a range of ecological services to the local community. By reforesting a deciduous dominated area with conifer species, this project aims to set the foundation for what will soon become a biologically diverse, sustainable forest that is resilient to threats, and supports wildlife and the community alike.
DOCUMENTING YOUR IMPACT Through authentic and informative storytelling, we help donors relate to the people who plant their trees and to the impact they're making for the planet. We share photos, videos, and updates from our global projects across our social media, website, and other media to create a personal connection to the incredible work happening on the ground.
PHOTOS FROM YOUR PROJECT
DEAR DONORS, I’M A TREE PLANTER AND I AM VERY HAPPY TO HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLANT THESE TREES. THE RICH SOIL AND BIODIVERSITY WAS A VERY EXCITING PART OF THIS LOCATION. I BELIEVE THE TREES HERE WILL LIVE A VERY LONG AND HAPPY LIFE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
BIODIVERSITY BENEFITS Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on earth at all levels, from genes to ecosystems, and all the processes that sustain life. The new, coniferous dominated forest will provide key habitat for a variety of wildlife species. During the first 20 years, the property will provide nesting, hiding and foraging cover for migratory songbirds, raptors, owls, ungulates (moose, elk, deer), and black bears. As a mature forest, it will provide critically important regional habitat - nesting, denning, foraging, hunting, hunting - for furbearers, sensitive migratory songbirds, sensitive raptors and owls, and bears. For urgulates, the mature forest will provide key thermal and hiding cover. Given that most of the area is dominated by farmland or deciduous forests, this coniferous dominated forest will increase the local and regional biodiversity. Likewise, a small, permanent watercourse fed by springs bisects the property and provides a key component for wildlife. The planted trees will help the long term water quality of the watercourse. Wildlife Species Benefited:
Moose (Alces alces) Elk (Cervus elaphus) White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) Barred Owl (Strix varia) Great Gray Owl (Strix nebulosa) Black-backed Woodpecker (Picoides arcticus) Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi) Western Toad (Anaxyrus boreas)
COMMUNITY
BENEFITS
The local community will benefit from the restored forest in myriad ways, including improved water quality and food security, recreational activities such as hiking and birdwatching, climate and soil stability, and the economic values forests provide. Reforesting this area helps build upon multiple ecological functions. For example, a small permanent watercourse fed by springs bisects the property. Planting helps the long term water quality of the watercourse, impacting both the local community as well as riparian wildlife. Similarly, the planted trees will help maintain root networks that stabilize soil, intercept rainfall, and release excess moisture through evapotranspiration during the rainy season. Meanwhile, the trees will augment local climate stability by increasing carbon sequestration through coniferous trees. The new landowners are ranchers, and because this project will improve the quality of the stream going through the reforested lands, they will benefit from improved ecosystem services on their property. At all stages of growth, the new coniferous forest will provide essential habitat for a variety of wildlife species, allowing for increased food security through hunting and increased income by hosting, outfitting and guiding hunters and birdwatchers. Moreover, hunting is pursued by locals and non locals, and both groups benefit the local economy through purchasing related supplies, fuel, accommodations and meals. Efforts to nurture this habitat will work toward bolstering the local economy as tourists pour in for both activities. Lastly, this project provided jobs for eight seasonal tree planters key to Canada’s reforestation program, as well as nursery workers and admin staff. Some of the tree planters live close to the property, and their income will continue to support the local community.
U.N. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS THIS PROJECT CONTRIBUTED TO THE FOLLOWING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:
WHAT ARE SDGS? Sustainable development entails seeking out solutions that not only boost the economic outcomes of developing and poorer nations, but also work to limit (or eliminate) our impact on the planet. Trees are one such solution. From creating jobs and reducing hunger to improving gender equality, cleaning air and water, absorbing carbon, protecting life on land and water, and more, planting trees can address all 17 sustainable development goals.
“Reforestation is one piece of the puzzle to solve the climate crisis. Thanks to donors like you, we can restore local ecosystems and combat global climate change. Together, we are progressing towards a world that not only survives but thrives.”
Meghan Danny
Global Projects Support Specialist
Angela Peterson
Senior Project Manager Indigenous and Local Communities