Alberta is restoring more caribou habitat than ever before by assessing and treating more than 6,100 kilometres of legacy seismic lines since 2019. In comparison, from 2015 to 2019 only 87 kilometers were restored.
To keep the momentum going, Alberta’s government has signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with two energy industry leaders that are contributing almost $12 million to plant more trees and replant seismic lines. With every kilometre that is treated and assessed, Alberta is helping restore critical caribou habitats while creating local jobs and growing the economy.
“We’re leading the country in restoring caribou habitat, and we aren’t stopping there. Thanks to our partnerships with Indigenous communities and our common-sense approach to conservation, we are planting more trees and creating more jobs than ever before. We will continue to support caribou habitat recovery while growing the economy for years to come.”
“We need to use common-sense actions to protect wildlife habitat while ensuring we protect jobs and local economies. Conservation and industry are not mutually exclusive. Alberta's government will continue to lead the world in practical solutions for protecting our valued landscapes.”
Alberta’s government and Syncrude Canada and TC Energy have signed MOUs to help advance caribou recovery and fulfill regulatory requirements. As part of the MOUs, Syncrude Canada Ltd. will contribute about $6.95 million towards restoring legacy seismic lines in the Richardson caribou range, and TC Energy will contribute $5 million towards restoring legacy seismic lines in the Little Smoky caribou range.
“TC Energy is proud to support this work in partnership with the province and Indigenous communities to strengthen recovery efforts for this important species as we connect Alberta to the energy it needs.”
RESTORING HABITATS
These seismic lines can be described as disturbed areas within our forests, which Alberta is restoring at record pace to ensure caribou populations keep growing and thriving in those areas. These lines are areas that could have had old roads and access trails built in the past that are no longer in use; old power and utility line corridors; or traces left behind from industrial or human activity from oil and gas exploration.
They are referred to as “legacy” because most of them were cut decades ago. Even though people stopped using them long ago, the forest hasn't been able to grow back on its own, and that’s what these MOUs are all about.
Alberta’s success has been achieved primarily by working with Indigenous communities and other Albertans who have the expertise needed to treat, assess and restore lines as effectively as anywhere else in Canada.
Large-scale habitat restoration has increased significantly since 2019, following the launch of the Caribou Habitat Recovery Program. Since 2019, more than $90 million has been invested into assessing and treating legacy seismic lines under the Caribou Habitat Recovery Program.
This coordinated approach will ensure that habitat restoration is planned and delivered effectively. By having industry work through the province’s Caribou Habitat Recovery Program, rather than setting up individual programs, Alberta can treat, assess and restore habitats as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Quick facts
- After decades of decline, surveys show most caribou populations have stabilized or are increasing in Alberta.
- In June 2025, the province announced more than $55 million over five years to plant up to five million more trees and restore habitats.
- Total legacy seismic lines treated and assessed per year in Alberta:
- 2015 to 2017: 0
- 2018: 87
- 2019: 0
- 2020: 276
- 2021: 663
- 2022: 999
- 2023: 882
- 2024: 1,739
- 2025: 1,546 (Estimate, subject to change)
- Alberta’s government continues to work with Fort McKay First Nation, Fort McKay Métis Nation, Chipewyan Prairie Dene First Nation, and Aseniwuche Winewak Nation to increase capacity to deliver reforestation activities.
- Funding for the Caribou Habitat Recovery Program is part of a partnership with Natural Resources Canada.