Forestry

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Our Industry

Alberta’s forests are a source of high-quality forest products for Canadian and international markets. The value created by Alberta Forest Products Association (AFPA) member companies was over $3.6 billion in 2003, and that figure is rising. Alberta’s forests are a natural, sustainable and renewable resource.

Who owns Alberta’s forests?

The provincial government, on behalf of Albertans, owns about 87 per cent of Alberta’s forests. The federal government owns about nine per cent, and private ownership accounts for about four per cent. On all publicly owned forest land, the forest industry is required to consult with Albertans before making decisions on how to conduct operations and manage the forest.

Federal and provincial regulations, policies and procedures protect our forests. Some regulations and policies concern public participation in using publicly owned lands. The particular land area and its proposed uses determine what kind of public participation will take place.

Sustainable Forest Management

Forestry is a regulated profession in Alberta, and professionals manage Alberta’s forests. In fact, to practice forestry on public land in Alberta, one must be a member of one of the province’s professional forestry colleges: the College of Alberta Professional Foresters (CAPF) or the College of Alberta Professional Forest Technologists (CAPFT). These professional qualifications assure the public the forest resource is being managed responsibly.

Alberta’s forest products companies study and survey the forest thoroughly before determining appropriate harvest techniques. Amounts of timber harvested never exceed the capacity of the forest to re-grow, ensuring the sustainability of the forest resource. Provincial policies and legislation also serve to secure sustainable development, and these sustainable harvests make sure the values of Alberta’s forests will be there for future generations.

Forest product companies are required by law to reforest in a timely manner areas that have been harvested. This commitment to reforestation drives the forest industry to establish new forests as quickly as possible. Companies monitor new forests as they grow to make sure expected growth rates are met.

On-Going Research and Development

The Alberta forest products industry and the provincial government support on-going research and development in the forest industry. This investigation includes product testing at universities, the Alberta Research Council, the Foothills Model Forest, FP Innovation, Canada’s Wood Products Research Institute, and through the private sector. Advances in forest engineering, wood technology and the design of new product tests occur in a variety of public and private establishments throughout the province.