Unit 1 - Management of Alberta's Forests
Completion requirements
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
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.
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.
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
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.