Southwestern Saskatchewan may not have an abundance of trees especially in rural areas, however, a new program the Swift Current Creek Watershed Stewards (SCCWS) are assisting with could begin to change that.

At the end of the month, the non-profit corporation will receive 3,000 trees to disperse amongst the southwest as part of the Saskatchewan Tree for Life Program launched by the Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds Inc. (SAW).

Kevin Steinley, the executive director of the SCCWS, said the program is a great partnership between the SAW and Environment and Climate Change Canada that will improve a variety of things.

"It helps to beautify the watershed and areas," he said. "Bringing trees in, provides habitat for different types of animals and birds, that we have in our watershed, some biodiversity. It also works to stabilize banks and some wetland areas and shorelines."

Not only will the young trees help in the areas Steinley mentioned, but they'll also absorb CO2 at a rate of 13 pounds per tree each year according to the SAW. And are estimated to take in 48 pounds of CO2 per year once they reach year 10.

"They will help to sequester carbon to help with any carbon emissions in the area," he said.

There are five types of trees the SCCWS will be handing out, sandbar willow, shrub willow, prairie sky poplar, blue spruce, and white spruce.

"Everybody is eligible to get trees," he said. "There's a limit of 50 trees per household. We're are the closest group to people in and around Maple Creek and south of the divide area, (so those) residents of those areas can also contact us to be part of this program."

People receiving the free trees will be subject to completing a survey on climate change as well as agreeing to care for each tree they acquire.

Steinley expects the trees to arrive at the SCCWS office on May 31 and for more information about obtaining some you can contact him at kevin.sccws@gmail.com or 306-770-4607.