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Unit 1 - Management of Alberta's Forests

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Course: Regulating Alberta's Forests [1cr] - AB Ed copy 1
Book: Unit 1 - Management of Alberta's Forests
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Date: Sunday, 7 September 2025, 7:45 PM

Table of contents

Information


  • Unit 1, Management of Alberta’s Forests, is designed to take approximately 3 hours.
  • You have the following tasks and assignments to complete in this unit.
    • Read Unit 1 content and all associated videos, publications, etc.
    • Complete Quiz 1.1 with a mark of 50% or higher


Learning Objectives

After completing this unit, you will be able to:
  • describe major historical changes regarding federal and provincial ownership and administration of Alberta’s forested land.
  • describe the Natural Resources Transfer Act.
  • describe public and private land tenures in Alberta today.
  • understand and compare the white and green areas in Alberta.
  • identify various agencies responsible for Alberta’s forest land management and describe their mandates.

Introduction

To better understand the different government legislations that oversee the management of Alberta’s forests, it is helpful to look at the history of both the federal and provincial legislature, beginning as early as the 16th century to the present day. It is also interesting to see how the shifting views of managing our forests influenced changes to the guidelines throughout time.

Over the past few decades, we have become increasingly aware of the fact that our forests are so much more than merely a supply of wood.

Pixabay

Today, forest planning in Alberta and Canada seeks to balance competing environmental, economic, and social forest values. This approach is known as Sustainable Forest Management.

The end goal of Sustainable Forest Management is to ensure that Canada's forests will continue to meet the needs of all Canadians, both now and in the future.

This unit will explore both the federal and provincial jurisdictions governing the management of our forested land.

History of Canada’s Jurisdiction of Alberta’s Forests

Canada's history is completely linked to our forests; they have always been part of the lives of Canadians.

To go into detail about the history of the Canadian Government’s jurisdiction over Alberta’s forests, we need to go back and examine the history of Canada’s governing bodies, from the first Indigenous peoples until about 1949, when Alberta first adopted sustained yield forestry. The history contains a lot of interesting information and fascinating stories that could easily fill a whole course; however, for this course, the information has been condensed to include the major turning points in Canada’s forest history. There are links you can click on which will connect you with some of the more interesting, detailed stories if you want to explore those.
Click image to enlarge.
Clipart courtesy FCIT, https://etc.usf.edu/clipart

A timeline of major changes that have occurred historically regarding the ownership and administration of Canada’s forested lands, can be found at Canada's Forest History.

While reading the timeline, did you notice that control of the forests moved from Canada to the provinces in the 1930s? You will read about the history of Alberta’s forested land as we continue the unit. However, in the provinces, there are still some forest laws that apply to federal lands, such as:



Forest Facts

To look at some current numbers about Canada’s forests, click on the image.
Click image to enlarge.
Courtesy of National Resources Canada

History of Alberta’s Jurisdiction of Alberta’s Forests

As rich as the history of Canada’s forests is, the history of jurisdiction of Alberta’s forests is just as rich. There are different governing bodies that managed Alberta’s forested lands, starting in 1930 when control of the forests moved from Canada to Alberta.

We will learn about some of those governing bodies in this unit of the course.
Source: Alberta Government, AFHPC


Source: Government of Alberta

As with Canada’s forest history, there are many events and different governing bodies in Alberta that contributed to the current Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The Alberta Forest Service 1930-2005 provides a very comprehensive review of its own history and Alberta’s forests. It is full of fascinating stories and pictures that take you through the history of Alberta’s forests during those 75 years.


Reading this document will give you a detailed review of Alberta’s forest history; however, for the purposes of this course, a condensed timeline of major changes that have occurred historically regarding the ownership and administration of Alberta’s forested lands, is presented at Alberta's Forest History.

Now that you have studied the history of both Canada and Alberta’s forested land, we will look at some of the governing bodies that manage Alberta’s forests.



Forest Facts

Each of Alberta’s major tree species has a set of characteristics that made them valuable for certain tasks to First Nations and early European settlers. Some tree species have soft wood full of sap while others have hard wood that is strong and dense. To see the traits of each major tree species and how they were used through history in Alberta, click on the image.
Click image to enlarge.
Courtesy of Todd Kristensen, Regional Archaeologist | Archaeological Survey of Alberta

Natural Resources Transfer Act

When Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan entered Confederation, they were not given control over their natural resources, unlike the other Canadian provinces. In 1930, these three provinces and British Columbia gained control over crown lands and natural resources within their provinces via a transfer from the federal government. The agreements for these transfers were called the Natural Resources Transfer Agreements, after which each province then passed acts to implement the agreements. Then the British Parliament passed the Constitution Act which ratified the three agreements and entrenched them in the Constitution of Canada. The Dominion Lands Act, in place up until that time, was then deemed obsolete.

The current Natural Resources Transfer Act includes Section 10 in which, “Alberta is obligated to transfer unoccupied Crown lands back to the federal government so that Canada can fulfil its obligations under the treaties with First Nations.” Since 1986, Alberta has contributed 178 281 acres of unoccupied Crown land to Canada in trust for First Nations. In Unit 3, you will learn more about First Nations, Métis and Inuit land ownership structures.
The signing of the natural resources transfer agreement. Prime Minister Mackenzie King (centre, seated in high-backed chair), Alberta Premier J. E. Brownlee (seated at King’s left), Minister of the Interior and Mines Charles Stewart (seated at King’s right)
Source: Provincial Archives of Alberta, A10924

Tenures

The province of Alberta owns all timber located on its provincial public forested land. However, the province is not in the business of harvesting trees; therefore, it makes agreements with timber companies. These agreements are known as "forest tenures", and they determine who can use the forest resources, for how long, and under what conditions.

The forest-tenure holder is given permission to manage and harvest the timber resources for a set period of time, but land and resource ownership is retained by the government.

In broad terms, a tenure allocation in Alberta is either area-based or volume-based.
Pixabay


Click each collapsible row to view more information.

Area-based tenures give the tenure-holder the right to harvest a specified volume of timber from a specified area, or all the timber in a specified area. Forest Management Agreements are an example of area-based tenures.
Volume-based tenures give the tenure-holder the right to a percentage of Annual Allowable Cut (AAC, measured in timber volume) within a specific area, or a specified volume from a specific area. Coniferous timber quotas and timber permits are examples of volume-based tenures.


Forest Facts

Alberta was the first province in Canada to legally require reforestation where trees are harvested for commercial use. In fact, reforestation has been the law in Alberta for over 30 years. Basically, the amount of timber harvested each year (example, the Annual Allowable Cut) cannot exceed the amount grown. Today, for every tree cut down in Alberta, four trees are regenerated. Proper reforestation of harvested areas ensures there will perpetually be a new forest reaching maturity in time for the next harvest. It also ensures that other forest values are protected.

Courtesy of replant.ca

Public Land Tenures

Under Alberta’s Forests Act, the right to harvest Crown (public) timber is allocated to companies and individuals through forest tenures. These public land tenure agreements are legal documents that describe the rights and responsibilities of the forest company with respect to the forest. Wildlife habitats, water, and soils must all be safeguarded as part of the forest company’s long-term harvesting plan.
Source: Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta


Click each collapsible row to view more information.

In Alberta, there are three main forest tenure systems:

Forest management agreements
  • are agreements between companies and the provincial government
  • are area-based forms of tenure
  • are the most secure type of forest tenure in Alberta
  • represent shared government-industry responsibility and commitment
  • are long-term and renewable
  • allocate timber
  • provide rights regarding Crown timber
  • require that a forest management plan be in place before any timber is harvested

Currently, there are 20 forest management agreements in place in Alberta, including 3 joint agreements. To see a map of these 20 forest management agreements, view Forest Management Agreement Boundaries.
A timber quota
  • is intended to provide small to medium-sized timber operators with a long-term secure wood supply
  • lasts for 20 years
  • is renewable as long as the holder is in good standing with the Crown
  • can be either area-based or volume-based, however, currently there are no area-based timber quotas
  • can be one of two types: coniferous timber quota or deciduous timber allocation
  • holder cannot harvest trees until a timber licence is obtained

Currently there are 115 timber quotas in Alberta; 78 coniferous timber quotas and 37 deciduous timber allocations
Timber permits
  • generally are for local community use and small timber operators
  • are issued through a permit system
  • are volume-based
  • have a government developed management plan for the permit harvesting area
  • are usually issued for less than five years
  • generally are non-renewable
  • are small tenures, for personal or commercial use

Timber permits can be one of four main types:


Read

To read more about Forest Tenures in Alberta, visit Forestry Tenure in Alberta. Courtesy of Alberta Forest Products Association.

Private Land Tenures

Of the almost 26 million hectares of timber-productive land in Alberta, 5% of this is privately owned. Today, forest product industries are willing to buy many of the tree species found on private land. The private landowners may choose to sell their timber:

  • in order to develop the land for agricultural purposes
  • for the income harvesting provides

Others may be interested in managing their forested land for long-term supplemental income. Whatever their reasons, the landowner needs to be aware of the long-term effects of logging on their land and the effects on the surrounding areas and habitats.

Courtesy Government of Alberta

Some provinces have laws that set standards for forest management practices on private lands. In most cases, however, forestry on private lands is governed by municipal regulations and supported by provincial guidelines or voluntary programs.

Just prior to 1995, there were issues that impacted harvesting timber on private lands. High prices were being offered to landowners to harvest timber that was then going to British Columbia to raise their mill quotas. There was little regard to practising sustainable management of these forested areas.

Therefore, in 1995, a group of 12 landowners, primarily from the Cochrane and Sundre area of Alberta, formed the Woodlot Association of Alberta (WAA). They wanted to represent small landowners and promote sustainable forest management options. The issues of 1995 have disappeared, but the organization, with a membership number of 175–200, continues to advocate for private landowners on different issues as they come up. The WAA acts as the approval agency for the development of Woodlot Management Plans for the Government of Alberta.

Today, landowners and local communities tend to be diligent about monitoring activities in private forests because these forests are important sources of income, employment, recreational opportunities, and ecological benefits, such as biodiversity and watershed protection.

The White and Green Areas

Before learning about the White and Green Areas of Alberta, it is important to understand how Alberta’s land is used. Approximately one third is used for forest management areas and another one third is used for agriculture. The graph shows the different uses of Alberta’s land as a percentage of the total.
Click image to enlarge.
Courtesy Government of Alberta

The landscape in the province and who owns the land affects how the land is used and managed.

Earlier in this unit, we learned that in 1948, two areas were created to guide forestry development in the province. They were also created to deal, in part, with the settlers who were building homes on land unsuitable for agriculture. These two major land designations were called the White Area and the Green Area.

Click each tab to view more information.

When the White Area was established, it was designated as land primarily suitable for agriculture and settlement. The White area contains Alberta’s population centres and agricultural areas, primarily southern and central Alberta, and also the Peace River region.

Today, 75% of this area is privately owned and 25% is public land; most of the forested areas are small, and separated by large areas of private land. The public land in the White Area is managed for such uses as agriculture, recreation, soil and water conservation, and fish and wildlife habitats. Planning and development of the privately owned land is managed by the municipal governments.
When the Green Area was established, it consisted of forested land for forest management planning and for the protection of important watershed areas. The Green Area includes most of Northern Alberta, and the mountains and foothills along Banff, Jasper, and the B.C. border.

Today, nearly all of the Green Area is publicly owned and managed by the provincial government, guided by approved forest management plans. This area is managed for timber production, watershed, fish and wildlife, recreation, energy development, and grazing where it is compatible with other uses. In addition, the agricultural industry is looking for opportunities to expand in forested areas located in the Green Area.
Click image to enlarge.
Courtesy Government of Alberta

These two areas reflect differences in the landscape, land use, and ownership that affects the different ways the land is planned and managed.

There are some obvious differences in the primary use of the land in both the Green and White Areas; however, both of these areas also support some of the same uses, such as recreation, natural resource development, conservation of soil and water, and protection of watersheds and habitats.

Other Governing Bodies

As we have learned thus far in Unit 1, there are many governing bodies that manage Alberta’s forests, and it is sometimes difficult to understand how land-use decisions are made. It is easier to understand when we consider the differences between public and private lands and who makes those decisions. It is also important to recognize the role forest companies and environmental agencies play in the management of our forests.


Private Lands


As we read on the previous page, the municipalities have authority for land-use planning on private land, most of which is in the White Area. Municipalities would include cities, towns, villages, summer villages, municipal districts, or specialized municipalities. More information related to municipal decisions about private land use is found below.
Pixabay


Click each collapsible row to view more information.

The Municipal Government Act (MGA) provides direction and regulations to the municipalities so that they can provide good government, services, facilities, etc., that are necessary to keep the community safe and viable. The Provincial Land Use Policies were developed in accordance with this act, and are meant to supplement the Municipal Government Act and help municipalities and the provincial government coordinate their approach to land use decisions in a consistent manner.
The bylaws and plans of the municipal government direct the development and use of the land. These plans and bylaws must conform to the MGA, and are approved by the local councils, not the government.
Every year in Alberta, municipalities issue more than 50 000 development permits and planning decisions. In making these decisions, they must consider the social, economic, environmental, and cultural impacts.
Some of the other agencies involved in land-use decisions are the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board and the Natural Resources Conservation Board. They represent the provincial approvals needed for oil and gas wells, pipelines, and confined feeding operations. Decisions made at the municipal level must reflect the decisions made by these provincial agencies.

Other Governing Bodies


Public Lands


Public lands, most of which are located in the Green Area, and land-use decisions are governed by the provincial government.

Some of the authorities related to provincial decisions about public land use are:
Pixabay


Click each collapsible row to view more information.

This approach recognizes the following:
  • Using any resource will affect other resources and the impacts must be considered when making decisions.
  • Environmental, social, economic, and cultural importances.
  • Cooperation, consideration, and communication with other stakeholder groups, municipalities, and the public, are key.
  • Managing resources must recognize not only present benefits, but future benefits.
These plans and strategies look at a specific area in providing land-use direction and guidance. The direction in an integrated resource plan should coordinate with municipal plans for that specific area.

Some examples of strategies are:
Dispositions are used by the government to give individuals, companies, or organizations the right to use public land for a specified use. These groups must submit an application to the provincial government, who reviews them, identifies any concerns, and then makes a decision.

Dispositions include land-use contracts such as:
  • agreements
  • easements
  • leases
  • letters of authority
  • licences
  • permits
  • quotas



Pexels
Outside of the provincial government and municipalities making land use decisions, there are many others that may be involved.

Companies make decisions about ways to access the land through their environmental practices and policies.

As members of organizations, we may also be in a position to make a decision about the land-use needs for recreational clubs or land conservation groups. As part of these types of organizations, we may become involved in advocating for changes in land-use policies or influencing decisions.

As individuals, we make decisions about the land we own; for example, whether it is for recreation or farming.



Other Governing Bodies


Forest Companies


Companies wishing to harvest trees on Crown land in Canada must enter into a forest tenure agreement with the provincial, territorial, or federal government. As you have learned, this allows the company to lease Crown forest from the government and harvest the trees on a certain area of land. These land leases are long-term and renewable; however, the company must comply with all current legislation and requirements.

In return for the right to harvest trees, the company pays the provincial government a fee. This is known as a stumpage fee.

Roles and responsibilities of forest companies operating in Canada include:
  • preparing a forest management plan which addresses how the operator will manage forest values other than timber. For example, how will wildlife be protected? How will rivers and streams be safeguarded?
  • assisting the provincial or territorial government in fire protection
  • working in partnership with the province or territory to protect forests from insects and disease
  • planning and implementing day-to-day operations, such as reforestation, in accordance with current legislation and regulations
Courtesy of Alberta Forest Products Association

Courtesy of Inside Education
In Alberta, reforestation is the responsibility of those who harvest forest trees, and must take place in all areas where trees are cut down. This means that even the temporary access roads must be reforested after a forest company is finished harvesting trees in a particular area. Furthermore, forest companies are obligated to carry out reforestation in accordance with provincial standards and to pay for reforestation costs. In general, the type of tree regenerated must match the original dominant species of that area. In other words, if a white spruce forest is harvested, then a white spruce forest must be regenerated. By law, reforestation activities must begin within two years of harvesting, and may be either natural or artificial.


Forest Facts

Wood is the world’s most environmentally friendly raw material. It is elastic and also the world’s strongest material relative to mass. Did you know that wooden houses remain standing during earthquakes that cause concrete houses to collapse?

Watch the video “Why on earth a wood house?” from The Danish Wood Initiative.

Had you ever considered that skyscapers could be made from wood? Watch a video on wooden skyscrapers.



Other Governing Bodies


Not-for-Profit Organizations


Many not-for-profit organizations, such as environmental groups, play an important role in the management of Canada's forests by promoting the protection and wise use of forest ecosystems. They accomplish this through the development of educational materials, organizing conferences, and building public awareness regarding forest-related issues. Many of these organizations carefully monitor the forests and compile databases that track significant changes in the ecosystem. This data is then made accessible to decision-makers.
Pexels

Examples of not-for-profit organizations operating in Canada include the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS), the David Suzuki Foundation, and the Canadian Forestry Association (CFA).

In the past, environmental groups and logging companies have fought bitter battles over forest protection issues. Today, however, Canada is recognized around the world for its ability to reach compromises on forest-related issues. A recent example of how different stakeholders are working together for the good of the forest is the Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement, the largest conservation agreement in history.



Forest Facts

Do you know the name of the largest forest in Canada? It is also the largest intact forest ecosystem left on our planet! Watch this video on this vast forested land that is an important part of our economy, history, culture, and natural environment.

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Management of Alberta's Forests

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