How an Alberta research team is working with Indigenous communities to reclaim land – CBC
Feb 08, 2024
Centre for Boreal Research teaches communities about forest ecology, seed identification, peatland restoration
A group of researchers are giving hands-on experience to members of Indigenous communities to teach them how to monitor remediation efforts of oil and gas companies on their traditional lands.
NAIT’s Centre for Boreal Research based out of Peace River teaches communities about forest ecology, seed identification, and peatland restoration — all as a way to reclaim their lands.
“The initial activities … were to train the community members to be what we call the guardians, to understand how land reclamation works, to be able to talk to industry working in their area to see if they’re doing a good job,” said Jean-Marie Sobze, manager of plant and seed technology at the Centre for Boreal Research.
After a summer of unprecedented wildfires in Canada that saw more than 18 million hectares burned, the push for reforestation is more important than ever, said Sobze.
