News release

Strathlorne Nursery to Hire Students

Natural Resources (to July 2018)

The Department of Natural Resources will be hiring 21 students for the 2004 seedling growing season at the Strathlorne Forest Nursery in Inverness County. The student positions are in addition to the permanent and seasonal staff at the nursery.

Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, made the announcement today, March 18, on behalf of Natural Resources Minister Richard Hurlburt. The students will be hired for about eight weeks beginning around the end of April.

"The nursery is an important facility for the Inverness area from an employment and economic perspective," said Mr. MacDonald. "These positions are welcomed news to the young people in the community and will help to keep them in this area for the summer months. The positions are also a reflection of the success of the facility's business and marketing strategy."

The provincial nursery is currently entering the fourth year of a five-year business and marketing plan. The goal is to increase the number of tree sales and make the facility financially self- sufficient. Increased tree sales to date and other efficiencies at the nursery have made it possible to hire the students for the coming season.

The Strathlorne Forest Nursery produces tree seedlings for use in reforestation activities throughout Nova Scotia. The nursery has been in operation for 23 years and has employed four permanent staff and about 50 seasonal staff for the past number of years.

"Today's announcement reflects a more prosperous and self-reliant economy that continues to thrive," said Mr. MacDonald.

The nursery expects to sell 11-million seedlings in 2004.