For Immediate Release
June 2, 2005

Barrett calls for work on the St. Williams ‘Signature Site’

Queens Park – Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett honoured the history of Ontario’s first forestry Station in the Ontario Legislature yesterday.

Barrett spoke in the Legislature after participating in the opening ceremonies of the St. Williams Forestry Station Interpretive Centre last Friday. The Centre was initiated by the Port Rowan/South Walsingham Heritage Association and ForestCare Corporation to showcase the history of Ontario’s reforestation.

“Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Pratt, MPP… is considered the Father of Reforestation, as he was instrumental in establishing St. Williams in 1908 as the first reforestation project in Canada,” Barrett explained. “MPP Pratt, lumberman and sawyer Walter McCall and Dr. E.J. Zavitz of the Ontario Agricultural College planted the first trees at St. Williams.”

Barrett also sought to remind the Minister of Natural Resources, David Ramsey of the importance of the area, “I’m very proud St. Williams Crown Forest has been identified as one of ten ‘Signature Sites’ under Ontario’s Living Legacy’s Lands for Life. I look forward to working with this government in continuing to explore the possibilities in the St. Williams area.”

The St. Williams Interpretive Centre will be opened to the public from Victoria Day to Labour Day.

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For more information please contact MPP Toby Barrett at: 519-428-0446, 905-765-8413 or 1-800-903-8629