Working together to restore caribou habitats

In recent years, Alberta has invested significantly in caribou recovery, and most herds are stable or increasing. However, herds remain small and vulnerable to predators. Recovery work is also complex in large part because caribou live in forests that can take decades to establish. Caribou recovery must also work together with local economies and the jobs that families rely on.

Alberta’s government and the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation of Canada have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to help advance caribou recovery in west central Alberta. This MOU is another important step in the province’s long-term caribou recovery efforts, restoring critical habitats while also creating jobs and supporting local economies.

“Caribou recovery takes time, while habitat restoration is one aspect of this, as is predator control, we are working closely with industry and Indigenous partners, exploring other ideas that may have potential. I respect the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation of Canada’s dedication to caribou habitat restoration and look forward to working together on caribou recovery in Alberta.”

“Our Elders say we need to look at the landscape as a whole, and speak for the caribou, as they cannot speak for themselves. When I can hunt caribou again, then I’ll know the forest is in balance. AWN hopes this MOU represents a stronger relationship and a renewed commitment to caribou recovery with the Government of Alberta.”

In recent years, significant efforts have been made to support caribou recovery in west central Alberta. More than 1.8 million trees have been planted in the Little Smoky and A La Peche caribou ranges alone.

Both Alberta’s government and the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation of Canada agree that collaboration plays a key role in the survival of woodland caribou. One of the main goals of the MOU is returning naturally self-sustaining caribou to areas of importance to Aseniwuche Winewak Nation of Canada in west central Alberta. The new agreement will also work towards:

• Enhancing the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation of Canada Caribou Patrol Program
• Identifying opportunities for Aseniwuche Winewak Nation members to be involved in caribou habitat restoration efforts
• Exploring new ways to enhance area caribou recovery

Over the next few months, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas will work with Aseniwuche Winewak Nation of Canada members to establish a work plan that supports these objectives.

This MOU is another important step in the province’s long-term caribou recovery program, investing in the specialized work needed to restore critical habitats while maintaining working landscapes.

Quick facts

• Alberta’s woodland caribou population is listed as a threatened species.

• More than $70 million has been invested into replanting and restoring caribou habitat across the province through the Caribou Habitat Recovery Program.
• More than 2,600 kilometres of seismic lines have been treated and assessed and 1.8 million trees have been planted in the Little Smoky and A La Peche caribou ranges since 2020.
• The MOU is not a funding agreement. Funding from the Alberta government as part of implementing the MOU will be determined after a work plan is formulated, subject to financial availability and the actions outlined in the plan.