The 2020 Christmas Tree Harvest began last week at Waskesiu, Prince Albert National Park. (Submitted photo/Prince Albert National Park)

By Dawson Thompson

Winter Wonderland

Increased interest for real Christmas trees at Prince Albert National Park

Dec 8, 2020 | 2:00 PM

The fifth annual Waskesiu Christmas Tree Harvest got underway last week at the Prince Albert National Park. They welcomed just under 200 guests during their opening week and was much busier than previous harvests, Robyn Hufnagel, communications officer for Prince Albert National Park told paNOW.

“We had 199 visitors come through the visitor centre, mostly individuals or couples, who were respecting public health measures. Bigger families stayed outside,” Hufnagel said. “Over the weekend, 126 of them were issued a Christmas tree permit.”

Hufnagel explained the National Park is well on their way to a record number of Christmas trees being harvested this year.

“Our stats show in 2019 we issued 186 permits throughout the whole season, where as this year we gave out 126 just this weekend,” Hufnagel said.

Due to COVID-19 indoor gathering restrictions, and travel regulations, many families will be looking for something to do over the holidays. These families do not have to look far for their next family holiday tradition, as Prince Albert National Park offers plenty of options for holiday fun.

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“We know that being physical outdoors is great for your mental and physical health, and because Prince Albert National Park has so many opportunities to explore the outdoors and be in nature, people are really taking advantage of that and its great to see,” Hufnagel said.

The Waskesiu Christmas Tree Harvest had an opening week record, giving out 126 Christmas tree permits last week. (Submitted photo/Prince Albert National Park)

Alongside the Harvest, visitors to the National Park can enjoy 45 kilometres of trails for cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, ice-fishing, and winter camping. All activities are free for visitors with a National Park permit. Permits can be purchased daily, and annually.

Families starting new traditions at the National Park this year can also take pride in knowing their involvement in the harvest helps with the control of wildfires as well, said ecologist at the Prince Albert National Park, Dustin Guedo.

“Around the Waskesiu town site we created a community fuel break, where we cleared out all the highly flammable trees to create a fuel barrier,” Guedo said. “The trees have grown up quite quickly. We saw an opportunity in order to maintain the fuel break, that this would be a great time to put this out to the public to have them come in and harvest them as Christmas trees.

“When people come and remove these trees, it allows us to keep up the fuel break, and allows them to come and enjoy the park, take home a Christmas tree, and help contribute in a really fun way.”

Information for where you are allowed to harvest a tree, as well as the equipment you are allowed to use, and any other guideline information for the Waskesiu Christmas Tree Harvest can be found at the visitor centre.

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Dawson.thompson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @dawsonthompson8