Our forests have environmental, economic and social values. Alberta’s forest products industry is committed to helping protect these values while sustaining the health of the forest. TheAFPA's FORESTCARE program also reflects an industry pledge to take a responsible approach to a growing economic resource, continuously improving environmental performance.

Albertans value the forests’ quality. Forest product companies manage forest and manufacturing operations in a way that protects the quality of water, air, soil, and wildlife habitat. To promote environment stewardship, FORESTCARE has standards for both woodlands and mill operations, and is the only certification program that evaluates manufacturing facilities as part of its auditing process.

Alberta pulp mills exceed the high provincial standards for water quality. On average, each mill spends upwards of $250,000 a year monitoring, upgrading, and developing new technology to protect and continually improve the quality of Alberta’s water resource. The forest industry also monitors air quality at its own expense, to meet or exceed provincial standards.

Alberta’s forest industry takes many steps to reduce wastes. New technologies use computer and laser scanning to make the most efficient cuts on the wood harvested. Leftover wood chips are reused to make wood products and recycled for livestock bedding, landscaping, and composting. Wood residues are also used to generate “green power” by biomass electrical plants, reducing the amount of fossil fuels used to make electricity.

The forest industry also practices sustainable forestry, making sure trees are not harvested faster than they grow back. The industry plants over 82 million seedling trees in Alberta each year, helping at least two trees grow back for every one harvested. We also give Mother Nature a helping hand in the regrowth of tree species like aspen and poplar.

Some species, like deer, moose, bear, and ruffed grouse, even thrive on the new growth harvesting provides. As one Alberta forester puts it, “When we’re harvesting, we’re creating habitat. The deer and moose follow us around.”

High water and air quality standards, innovative recycling strategies, and extensive reforestation are just some of the steps the forest industry is taking to care for the environment. FORESTCARE makes sure Alberta companies are truly stewards of the environment, continually improving to better protect and enhance all the values of our forests.

Forests: Alberta’s sustainable, renewable natural resource.