PROJECT REPORT
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT Dear friend, Thanks to your support, a total of 83,400 trees were planted to restore 41 hectares of land in New Brunswick. 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 New Brunswick. I hope you enjoy reading it and truly feel the impact you have made.
OVERVIEW
The objective of the New Brunswick 2023 - Pouchette Road Reforestation project was to reforest a clear-cut portion of land near Pouchette Road for the purposes of accelerating natural regeneration and restoring vital moose habitat. By reforesting this site, this project aims not only to provide moose protection for the next several years, but to establish a trail system that will allow visitors the opportunity for recreational pursuits such as hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing.
TREES PLANTED 83,400 WOMEN INVOLVED 11 JOBS SUPPORTED 29 WILDLIFE SPECIES BENEFITED 20
TREE SPECIES PLANTED 4 HECTARES REFORESTED 41 ACRES REFORESTED 101
TREE SPECIES PLANTED Four native spruce species were planted across 101 acres for this project: red spruce (picea rubens), white spruce (picea glauca), black spruce (picea Mariana) and eastern white pine (pinus strobus). While some red maple may naturally regenerate, as this species is particularly suited to the site’s current environmental conditions, the addition of the newly planted trees will accelerate the restoration process. This will foster a healthier and more resilient forest ecosystem over time. This enhanced forest structure not only captures far more carbon dioxide than the previous stands but also contributes to the establishment of vital moose cover in a previously open clearcut area. The incorporation of diverse native species promotes habitat heterogeneity, supporting a broader range of wildlife species. This in turn will enhance overall ecosystem health and resilience to environmental stressors. Through strategic reforestation efforts, the project aims to create a thriving forest landscape capable of providing a wide range of ecosystem services.
SPECIES PLANTED THROUGH THIS PROJECT Red Spruce (Picea rubens) White Spruce (Picea glauca) Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) Black Spruce (Picea mariana)
TREE SPECIES
IDENTIFICATION & USE There are over 40 species of spruce, five of which are native to Canada. Red Spruce, also known as Picea rubens, is a coniferous tree native to the northeastern United States and eastern Canada. Recognized by its tall, straight trunk and pyramidal crown, red spruce typically reaches heights of 50 to 100 feet, with mature trees boasting a distinctive reddish-brown bark. Its needle-like leaves are arranged spirally along the branches and are characterized by a deep green color, providing year-round beauty to forested landscapes. In autumn, red spruce foliage takes on a reddish-purple hue, adding to the tree's aesthetic appeal and making it a sought-after species for ornamental landscaping. Red spruce play a vital, dominant role in ecosystem dynamics, contributing to habitat diversity and ecosystem stability through various mechanisms. Firstly, red spruce forests provide crucial habitat for a wide range of flora and fauna, including nesting sites for birds, shelter for mammals, and forage for herbivores. The dense canopy and thick understory of red spruce forests offer protection and food sources for numerous species, fostering biodiversity and ecological resilience. White Spruce, otherwise known as Picea glauca, can be found from Newfoundland and Labrador west 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. Because of its dense form, it is also well suited as a windbreak or screen.
THIS PRIME MOOSE HABITAT AREA WAS LOGGED SHORTLY PRIOR TO SITE ACQUISITION BY A SUPPORTER OF PERMANENT FORESTS, WHICH UNFORTUNATELY EXPOSED THE ANIMALS TO SIGNIFICANT RISK DURING THE LOCAL HUNTING SEASON. THE QUICK TURNAROUND TIME ON FUNDING AND COMPLETING THIS PROJECT MEANS THAT THE LOCAL MOOSE POPULATION WON'T BE UNDER INCREASED HUNTING PRESSURE FOR TOO MANY YEARS BEFORE THE NEW TREES START TO GIVE THEM A COVER OF SAFETY. IN ADDITION, ALL OF THE TREES PLANTED WERE NATIVE SPECIES, WHICH ENSURE THAT THE MOOSE WILL FEEL COMFORTABLE IN THEIR REPLACED HABITAT.
YOUR IMPACT ON THE MAP The New Brunswick 2023 - Poucette Road Reforestation project supported the planting of 83,400 spruce and eastern white pine trees across 101 acres near Cormier-Village, New Brunswick. By reforesting this area, this project restored a large portion of moose habitat, protecting the species from increased hunting. It also implemented over 2.5 kilometers of trails to be enjoyed by the local community. The planted trees will provide recreational and ecological value, including carbon sequestration and increased resilience to climate related impacts.
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
JUDGING BY THE NUMBER OF MOOSE TRACKS THROUGHOUT THE SITE, THIS AREA IS PRIME MOOSE HABITAT. IT FELT GOOD TO KNOW THAT AS OUR TREES GROW UP, THEY'LL HELP GIVE THE LOCAL MOOSE POPULATION A PLACE TO SHELTER FROM HUNTERS. ALSO, THE SOILS ON THIS SITE SEEMED TO BE QUITE RICH, WITH A GOOD MIX OF MINERAL SOIL, HUMUS, AND ORGANICS. I THINK OUR TREES WILL REALLY THRIVE ON THIS SITE.
BIODIVERSITY BENEFITS The former (and surrounding forests) had very few Eastern White Pine (EWP), which is an ideal tree for future climate change scenarios. This planting, of 23% of the site with EWP, will certainly be beneficial to the forest composition in that respect. There is potential for the new stands to eventually help seed neighboring stands, too — adding to regional biodiversity. In terms of ecological impact, the area is known to be prime moose habitat, and unfortunately, the recent clearcutting — prior to our on-ground partners acquisition of the property — opened up an opportunity for hunters to apply additional pressure on the moose population in the area. The sooner the new forest matures, the better it will be for the moose population. Additionally, an estimated 20 species of wildlife will benefit from this restoration project. This includes approximately 1/2 dozen medium-to large-sized mammals, including rabbit, coyote, moose, white-tailed deer, red fox, and American marten. Similarly, dozens of smaller mammals will benefit, including squirrel, mice, shrew, and vole.
COMMUNITY
BENEFITS
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.
“This project is a perfect example of how reforestation can kickstart natural regeneration and bring a wealth of ecological and social benefits along with it. Between improved climate mitigation, restored wildlife habitat, increased carbon sequestration, and recreational benefits, both the local community and wildlife will gain through safeguarded welfare for years to come.”
Meghan Danny
Global Projects Support Specialist
Brittney Burke
Director of Projects North America