Integrated Land Management – Success stories

Some land users have reduced their collective footprint by sharing knowledge, planning together and sharing the land base.

Success stories by region

There are several examples of successful components of Integrated Land Management (ILM) over the years from different geographic areas of Alberta. Though some initiatives have since been replaced or modified, the examples illustrate what is possible when land users work together to reduce their impact on land and resources.

Lower Athabasca

AlPac-Opti/Nexen Integrated Planning

Alberta-Pacific Forestry Industry (Al-Pac) and Opti-Nexen demonstrated how forestry and oil and gas companies can co-operate on the land. By sharing the same footprint they harvested 30% fewer trees. This paves the way for future collaboration.

“Everybody used to say that forestry and oil and gas could not integrate because we work differently and at separate times of year. But this project showed that it works. It proved that you could do it if you want to.” – Don Pope (Al-Pac)

Find out more about this ILM success story at: AlPac-Opti/Nexen Integrated Planning

Upper Athabasca

Fort Assiniboine Coal Bed Methane Early Engagement Process

Coal bed methane (CBM) is a natural gas found on the surface and in the cracks of coal. Industrial CBM operations began in the Fort Assiniboine area in 2003. At that time, oil and gas infrastructure in the area was limited.

The companies consulted with the community early in the project. They also worked with government to reduce the expected footprint.

Read about this success story at:

Upper Peace

Kakwa Copton Industrial Corridor Plan

The Alberta government and 13 resource companies collaborated on this plan to identify access corridors.

To learn more, see:

Red Deer

Buffalo Lake Integrated Shoreline Management Plan

The Alberta government is working with the public and several municipalities to protect the shoreline of Buffalo Lake. The lake is 55 km northeast of Red Deer.

To learn more, see:

North Saskatchewan

Chungo Creek Industrial Access Management Area

A plan for development within the Chungo Creek area has been developed with the collaboration of:

  • forestry companies
  • oil and gas companies
  • Alberta Research Council
  • Department of Energy
  • the former Department of Sustainable Resource Development

To learn more, see:

Access Management Bighorn Backcountry

In 2000, the Government of Alberta invited stakeholders to participate in the development of a plan to address recreational access.

South Saskatchewan

Ghost Stewardship Monitoring Group

This group worked with Government of Alberta to develop sustainable recreational trails in the Ghost Public Land Use Zone west of Calgary. This project demonstrated that diverse organizations could come together to achieve a common vision.

To learn more, see:

Provincewide success story

Seismic exploration is the basis of Alberta’s petroleum industry. Although it is a short process, its impact on the landscape can last a long time.

Today, low-impact seismic exploration is the Government of Alberta standard. This has greatly reduced the overall footprint on the landscape.

To learn more, see:

Premier’s Award of Excellence

The ILM project received a Silver Premier’s Award of Excellence in 2008. This recognized the commitment of government partners and non-government land users.

Contact

For more details about these and other ILM projects:

Email: [email protected]