Woodland Caribou

Woodland caribou are listed as a nationally threatened species in Canada and are subject to provisions of the Federal Species at Risk Act. Populations have been decreasing throughout most of their ranges.

For as long as 20 years, Weyerhaeuser has been working with provincial and federal governments to collect data and develop strategies to integrate caribou habitat needs into forest management plans.

Research shows that traditional forest management strategies may not meet the habitat needs of caribou, because they create extensive road access and small patches of forest. Weyerhaeuser recognizes that a change from the traditional forest management approach is needed to ensure that forestry activities do not result in a negative impact on the long-term supply of caribou habitat. As a result, Weyerhaeuser decided in 2004 to delay harvesting and other forestry related activities within 82,000 hectares (203,000 acres) of land in west-central Alberta until 2010.

Mountain pine beetle infestations have presented a new threat. Weyerhaeuser's plan to address the pine beetle incorporates caribou needs. Harvesting strategies to reduce the risk of mountain pine beetle will have minimal impact on caribou areas.