The Department of Forestry is helping communities plant trees with a multi-year reforestation plan for areas burned in last year’s wildfires.

The goal of the program is to replenish affected domestic cutting areas, improve the look of the landscape, and help to restore wildlife habitat.

Softwood species are being planted in more remote areas and in domestic cutting areas, while hardwood species are being planted closer to communities as recommended by FireSmart Canada.

Planting recently occurred in the park in Broad Cove.

The province says some 25,000 trees have been planted, covering approximately 35 hectares so far this year.

Meanwhile, a limited number of white birch, white pine, yellow birch and eastern larch seedlings were made available to residents of the Conception Bay North Shore free of charge.

Seedlings are also available to the general public through an online request form.