A Vancouver-based guitar manufacturer is donating $3,000 to BC Parks to purchase and plant 1,000 seedlings in a Lillooet area park to help restore 23,000 hectares of land damaged in the 2009 Kelly Creek wildfire.

Initiated by Prestige Guitars and led by BC Parks, the project offers a way to raise awareness of environmental issues. The company plans to continue its sponsorship with BC Parks by taking on a new reforestation project every year and its goal is to plant a tree for every guitar manufactured.

"BC Parks is very appreciative of the support from businesses such as Prestige Guitars. Worldwide, people identify British Columbia as having spectacular forests, which we all recognize as providing far-ranging benefits from economic to environmental to recreational," said Environment Minister Terry Lake.

In an effort to avoid low soil moisture due to summer temperatures, the native Douglas-fir and spruce seedlings are scheduled to be planted in Edge Hills Provincial Park in the fall.

"By launching our own reforestation initiative, we hope to do our part for the environment, and encourage and motivate other companies to do their part. Trees play an integral part in manufacturing a guitar and we want to ensure our industry is sustainable and that B.C.'s forests will be around for our future generations," said Mike Kurkdjian, president of Prestige Guitars Ltd.

In 2009, the Kelly Creek wildfire swept the park, leaving slopes susceptible to possible landslides, heavy debris flows and flooding. The reforestation supported by the partnership will help secure the area and help mitigate safety concerns.

Find out More:

BC Parks: www.bcparks.ca

Check out Prestige Guitars at: www.prestigeguitars.com

Connect with BC Parks on Facebook: www.facebook.com/YourBCParks

Contacts:

Dan Gilmore
Communications
Ministry of Environment
250 213-2302

Mike Kurkdjian
President
Prestige Guitars
604 298-8111