Before Al-Pac began operating in 1993, the company's leadership decided that the company would be a leading environmental performer in all aspects of its business from mill operations to forest operations. We employ BATEA (Best Available Technology Economically Achievable) standards and have initiated industry-leading practices including ecosystem management and integrated landscape management. This was made possible by our leadership who wanted to do business differently and that was supported by science.
How can Al-Pac's forest practices reflect the fire-maintained natural disturbance patterns for the benefit of ecosystems and wildlife? How can we be sure that regenerated harvest sites grow back to resemble what the forest historically looked like? How do we know that our Annual Allowable Cut is not greater than what the forest grows back? What safeguards can we put in place to protect aquatic systems from harvesting operations?
Alberta-Pacific invests approximately two million dollars a year in research - more than $20 million since 1991 - to answer these questions and many more. Most of the research is conducted by independent scientists from highly-respected institutions, including the University of Alberta and the Alberta Research Council, to incorporate the best available knowledge and expertise. Research projects are conducted considering all key result areas of our business, including impacts on cost, production, environment, safety and community. The projects and overall research program is driven by continuous improvement and adaptive management: testing, monitoring and evaluating applied strategies, and incorporating resulting new knowledge into ecosystem management approaches to continually improve our sustainable management policies, strategies, and practices. |
Knowledge-based Best Practices Research Wheel
Science, traditional knowledge, strategic partnerships and continuous improvement all come together to help form the nine key result areas of Al-Pac's knowledge-based best practices illustrated in this diagram. Click on any of the components on the wheel to learn more about their respective goals, progress and related research reports. |
