Thank you, New Democrats.  Another environment program we so much needed after   
   the years of devastating wild fires.   
   _______________________________________   
   CBC News · Posted: Apr 24, 2020   
      
      
   5,000 tree planters heading to B.C.'s forests, despite pandemic   
      
   B.C. government approves biggest ever tree plant despite community COVID-19   
   concerns   
      
   About 5,000 tree planters from across Canada are  set to head  into forests   
   across the B.C. interior, as  the province's biggest ever reforestation    
   effort moves ahead, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.   
      
   After weeks of uncertainty, and community concerns about  tree planters   
   spreading COVID-19,  government officials gave the silviculture industry the   
   green light Friday afternoon.   
   Hundreds of millions of trees at stake   
      
   About 310 million seedlings will be planted to replace trees destroyed by   
   wildfires and pine beetle infestations. The  unprecedented reforestation will   
   also increase carbon capture in B.C.'s forests to combat climate change.    
      
   "We're very hopeful that we'll be getting most of those trees in the ground,"   
   said Dianne Nicholls, B.C.'s chief forester. "We're doing everything that we   
   can, while respecting health and wellness first."    
      
   New health and safety rules from the provincial health officer will mean a   
   radical change for tree planting culture.   
      
   For decades, summers in remote planting camps have been defined by hard work   
   and intense socializing in tight knit groups.   
   Strict rules will change tree planting   
      
   But this year, tree planters will have to practice physical distancing, even   
   in shared tents.   
      
   Planters will only be allowed close contact with a handful of people assigned   
   to their "work pods"— a group that will be similar to a family that   
   self-isolates together.   
      
   According to provincial health directives, the tree planters will also be in   
   lock down in their remote camps, forbidden from visiting neighbouring   
   communities on their days off.    
      
   In cases where tree planters are accommodated in motels or hotels, on-site   
   security will help enforce the rules.   
      
   "There will be no balcony parties, no parking lot parties," said Jordan   
   Tesluk, a forestry safety advocate with the BC. Forest Council  "Basically,   
   you'll get fired if you don't follow the rules."   
      
   Siilviculture companies working near Indigenous communities must also consult   
   with health officials and take special precautions.   
      
   Industry leaders say theses measures have already been tested during planting   
   already underway on the B.C. coast.   
      
   "Tree planting can safely take place," said John Betts, executive director of   
   the Western Forestry Contractors' Association, which represents the majority   
   of tree planting companies.. "Our members began implementing additional steps   
   to protect workers    
   and the public very early on, and it is working."   
      
   Bett says tree planters, several thousand of whom are coming to work from   
   outside B.C., are taking the pandemic seriously.   
      
   "They know that they risk infecting the rest of their crew.. They know that   
   they could possibly infect communities and they know they could also get   
   infected," said Betts. "They're well aware of their duty."    
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)