Applying traditional knowledge to reclamation of industrially disturbed boreal forest

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A team of four First Nations, two Forestry companies, and the Northern Alberta Inst. of Technology have come together to develop a framework for how to apply traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) to reclaim industry disturbed lands. Much of Alberta's forestry industry landscape is situated on Treaty 8 territory and indigenous lands. Although companies are required to consult the indigenous communities during the use of their land, and there is an interest in incorporating indigenous traditional values when reclaiming disturbed lands, no framework currently exists for how to do this. This project will apply TEK by using a community-focused approach to return value to disturbed landscapes. In this trial, the four different First Nation communities will be fully involved in the reclamation process over 3 years. Focus will be on involving members of the community in the entire process, and in using species of traditional interest for revegetation based on the preferences of the community. The project will develop a framework approach for applying TEK in this context, as well as provide real-world examples of this approach, encouraging future engagement between industry and First Nation communities and the incorporation of traditional values in land reclamation. Resources and educational tools will be developed to facilitate knowledge dissemination of the project learnings, which will be available via online portals to the public as well as delivered during a workshop for industry practitioners and other First Nation communities interested in applying TEK to practical reclamation projects. This approach will be applicable across the boreal landscape and will provide value for reclaiming various types of disturbances on traditional lands.