Lesson 2: The History of Forest Research in Alberta

In 1930, the federal government transferred control of Alberta's natural resources to the Province. The transfer included all publicly-owned forestland outside the national parks. The Alberta Forest Service was created at this time to manage the major forestry activities within the province of Alberta.

One of the tasks of the Alberta Forest Service was to take inventory of Alberta's forests. In 1886, the actual extent of the forest was not well known. However, by 1946, boundaries of forest reserves had been surveyed and lands best suited for forestry had been identified.

In the 1950s, the entire forest was mapped using the new technology of aerial photography. This information was critical because it allowed the Alberta Forest Service to better estimate rate of growth and timber values. By 1990, satellite imagery and remote sensing resulted in even more precise information about the extent and condition of Alberta's forests.

The Alberta Forest Service also worked hand in hand with the forest industry to advance knowledge in the areas of forest management, silviculture (controlling the establishment, growth, and quality of forests), and land use. In particular, the Alberta Forest Service worked closely with the North Western Pulp and Power Ltd. of Hinton. Built in the mid 1950s, it was the first major Canadian forest industry to commit to sustained yield forestry, establish a unique partnership between government and industry, and allow scientists to apply their knowledge on a grand scale. Together with the Alberta Forest Service, the company at Hinton pioneered an approach to forest management known as Adaptive Forest Management. This approach, which is still used today, is firmly grounded in science and acknowledges that forest management practices change as new knowledge becomes available. Later in the course, you will learn about some of the specific research that has been carried out over the years in this historic forest.