The province says it will protect an additional 1.8 million hectares of woodland caribou range in northern Alberta and work to increase populations in central Alberta — in what one conservation group is calling a “boreal bonanza and foothills fiasco.” On Wednesday, Environment and Parks Minister Shannon Phillips said the province is moving forward with caribou protection plans for…
Over 3.3 million hectares of boreal forest straddling the Ontario-Manitoba boundary could be designated a world heritage site by the United Nations in July. The proposed Pimachiowin Aski site encompasses land surrounding Pikangikum First Nation and stretches as far west as Lake Winnipeg. The recognition would represent “a very important boreal cultural landscape,” project co-ordinator…
Scientists are putting Alberta at the head of the herd among provinces with a strategy to preserve threatened caribou that includes sectioning off forest to protect calving cows. While the plan for a $40-million restoration of industry-damaged habitat and huge new protected areas has drawn applause, questions remain about whether calving pens will do any good. “It could be an OK idea,…
Two wildfires burning in B.C.;s southern Interior temporarily closed Highway 3 between Christina Lake and Grand Forks Tuesday afternoon. The fires are not threatening any structures or communities, but are highly visible from the highway, which remains on single-lane alternating traffic. Airtankers, a helicopter, and seven B.C. Wildfire Service personnel are working with Grand Forks…
It stands at a little more than 70 metres high, 14 metres taller than the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Experts believe it may have been around even longer than the world-famous Italian landmark, which began to take shape nearly 850 years ago. Big Lonely Doug looms over a clearcut hillside in the Gordon River Valley, surrounded…
A forester with expertise in wildfire and fuel management says Nelson sits between seven and 10 onthe provincial government’s 10-point scale that measures wildfire threat to communities. “Nelson is a fairly high risk area,” says Bruce Blackwell, who is working for a local governmentpartnership on a new wildfire management plan for the Nelson area. “Fort…
The planting of the billionth tree in the Prince George Natural Resource District was celebrated Thursday at the Central British Columbia Railway and Forestry Museum. That was where dignitaries planted a spruce tree to mark the milestone. The number dates from when planting began in 1959 and it wasn’t the only large figure cited. “Silviculture…
Alberta Premier Rachel Notley says the devastating fire in Fort McMurray underlines the need for a national discussion on disaster mitigation. Notley said Tuesday she has already asked that the subject be added to the agenda for July’s premiers meeting in Whitehorse, Yukon. “We’re not the first jurisdiction that’s been struggling with this problem. It’s…
TimberWest is harvesting approximately 70 hectares of second generation forest in the Englishman River area. The harvesting started mid-May and is expected to be completed by mid-June. We understand that there have been some concerns raised and we want to assure you that we are sensitive to our role in protecting riverside ecosystems and habitat….
The first thing the 281 South African firefighters did when they touched down in Edmonton was sing. They sang soldier songs — songs of South Africa — while the large crowd gathered there to welcome them cheered. Khomt Alucie, one of the firefighters who made the journey, said the group has only known each other…