Healthy forests build the foundation for a healthy ecosystem
At CPAWS Southern Alberta, we believe forests must be managed for the benefit of all people, not simply treated as a source of timber. True forest stewardship means placing ecosystem health, biodiversity, clean water, climate resilience, and community well-being at the heart of management decisions.
The Alberta Forests Act, dating from the 1970s, reflects an outdated view of our forests. It fails to incorporate more than five decades of scientific progress and growing awareness of climate change, species at risk, ecological integrity, and the social and cultural values forests provide. Today, much of Alberta’s public forests are still governed by 20-year Forest Management Agreements (FMAs) that are issued to private companies with no public consultation. Agreements like these give private companies a lot of control over public resources, while further removing Albertans from decision-making processes regarding public lands and forests.
We envision a future where ecosystem-based forest management reflects an integrated and science-driven understanding of forest functions. This approach will safeguard watersheds, protect species at risk, enhance climate resilience, and ensure Alberta’s forests endure as a living legacy for generations to come.
Our Work
CPAWS Southern Alberta believes strongly that Albertans should have a voice in forest management. The future of these essential resources and ecosystems should not be determined by private companies. These forests are integral to our future here and we are committed to empowering communities to be actively engaged in their management.
Ecosystem-Based Forest Management
CPAWS Southern Alberta is working with communities and stakeholders to advocate for an ecosystem-based forest management plan for the Southern Eastern Slopes. This updated management approach incorporates both the social and ecological objectives of the region — such as clean water, biodiversity, connectivity, and local economic opportunity — for a sustainable approach to forest use.
The Highwood
The Upper Highwood in Kananaskis Country is a much-loved recreation area and home to Critical Habitat for threatened bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout. Yet this region faces over 1,100 hectares of planned clearcut logging. CPAWS launched the #DefendAlbertaForests campaign in 2023 to protect the Highwood, raise public awareness, and push for sustainable forest management that puts ecosystems and communities first.
Since then, CPAWS has carried out detailed eco-hydrology studies in Loomis Creek (2024–2025), documenting impacts on fish habitat, erosion, and watershed health. The results show that logging in this sensitive area jeopardizes the survival of at-risk native trout populations, highlighting the urgent need to revise logging plans within Critical Habitat.
Species at Risk
Forests are home to vulnerable species whose survival depends on intact habitats. Our research shows that logging in critical areas undermines recovery efforts for species at risk. This is not only a management problem but also an enforcement failure, since permits are often issued to allow the destruction of Critical Habitat and fines for unauthorized damage remain far too low to deter violations.
Importantly, neither logging companies nor the regulating body (DFO) are required to conduct pre-disturbance assessments, even when operating in Critical Habitat. CPAWS Southern Alberta is stepping in to fill this gap. By carrying out habitat assessments and redd surveys, we are building the evidence needed to strengthen the case for ecosystem-based forest management that protects biodiversity while supporting community values.
Reports
key ISSUES
What's at Stake
The consequences of logging extend well beyond the forest floor. Without proper planning and management, logging erases critical habitat for species already under pressure and undermines the natural systems that regulate water, leaving communities more vulnerable to floods and drought.
Learn more about the key issues surrounding logging in Southern Alberta.
Photo Credit: Jordan Ubell
Sustainable forestry
Take Action
Let’s bring Alberta forestry into the 21st century. With increased concerns over water and air quality in the face of climate change, now is the time to make a change. Establishing updated, sustainable forest legislation is a critical step in conserving and maintaining healthy forest ecosystems in Alberta for generations to come.
Use our interactive logging plan tool to explore current and proposed logging projects in southern Alberta and take action to demand better management. You can also support our work directly by making a donation. However you choose to take action, thank you for defending Alberta forests.
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