Unit 4 - Land Dispositions

In Unit 1 we learned that Alberta has two major land designations: the White Area and the Green Area.

The White Area, which makes up 42% of the province, is mostly privately owned. Only about 25% of the White Area is public land, which is managed the same way as public land in the Green Area.

The Green Area, which makes up about 58% of the province, is public land that is managed for timber production, watershed, fish and wildlife, recreation, energy development, and other uses. When public land is suitable for agriculture and other uses, agricultural use is limited to grazing.

Competition for land that could be used for forestry is expected to increase and there is much interest about the use of public land in the White Area. At the same time, there is increased public pressure for sound forestry practices in both areas.

The Alberta Government ensures that forest companies are responsible and monitored through the process of applying for Timber Dispositions and Reclamation Certificates.