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Cat Lake First Nation and PRT Growing Services establish landmark partnership to support community growth - Environmental Communication Options/Huff Strategy

Cat Lake First Nation and PRT Growing Services establish landmark partnership to support community growth

Nov 26th, 2024 1:41 PM

For Immediate Release 

(Thunder Bay, ON. Nov 26, 2024) --- Cat Lake First Nation (CLFN) and PRT Growing Services Ltd., North America’s largest producer of forest seedlings, have signed a memorandum of understanding today, establishing a significant new partnership to drive sustainable, resilient socioeconomic development in Northwestern Ontario through the regrowth and renewal of Canadian forests.

This announcement represents the first phase of a broader initiative aiming to foster local growth within the Cat Lake community through workforce support and training, ongoing employment opportunities at the PRT Dryden nursery, and collaboration on future Cat Lake nursery and seedling initiatives. 

Chief Russell Wesley of Cat Lake First Nation stated: "Our community aspires to support and further the regeneration of future forests. This partnership represents a significant opportunity for our community to learn from an industry leader, creating a new partnership to develop valuable skills while contributing to the sustainable management of our forests and economic success."

Randy Fournier, CEO of PRT Growing Services, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership: "This collaboration aligns perfectly with PRT's vision to provide stewardship of growth and renewal for generations to come. We are honored to work alongside Cat Lake First Nation in this important initiative which will strengthen environmental and economic opportunities within the nationally critical reforestation value-chain."

The memorandum of understanding was signed by PRT's Chief Executive Officer Randy Fournier and CLFN Chief Russell Wesley during the Cat Lake First Nation Bio-economy Stakeholder Meeting in Thunder Bay, Ontario, on November 26, 2024.

 

Randy Fournier, CEO of PRT Growing Services (left) and Chief Russell Wesley of Cat Lake First Nation (right)

Randy Fournier, CEO of PRT Growing Services (left) and Chief Russell Wesley of Cat Lake First Nation (right) at news conference

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Media Contacts

To learn more or schedule an interview: 

Cat Lake First Nation 

Vicki Blanchard 

Blanchardvicki21@gmail.com

PRT Growing Services Ltd. 

Ashley Richmond Ashley.Richmond@prt.com

Cat Lake First Nation

Cat Lake First Nation (CLFN) is a community of 800 people who speak Ojibwe and English, located 220 km north of Dryden. The Ojibwe name, Bizhiw-zaaga'iganiing Nitam Anishinaabeg, means "The First Nation at Wild-Cat Lake," referring to the Canada lynx. CLFN is part of the Windigo First Nations Council, a regional chiefs' council, which is a member of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation representing 49 Treaty 9 communities. 

PRT Growing Services Ltd. 

PRT Growing Services Ltd. is North America’s largest producer of forest seedlings, currently growing more than 600 million seedlings annually and operating a network of forest seedling nurseries and orchards in the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit www.prt.com.