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Alberta strengthens protection for woodland caribou 06/30/11
New provincial policy guides implementation plans for ranges
Edmonton... Alberta is strengthening protection for woodland caribou with a new provincial policy to achieve self-sustaining woodland caribou populations in Alberta.
“Alberta has long been committed to keeping woodland caribou on the provincial landscape,” said Mel Knight, Minister of Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. “This policy directly leads to action across government and among all partners on the landscape to make a positive difference on the ground for Alberta’s caribou.”
In recent years, predator-prey relationships have altered, leading to declines in caribou populations. To sustain and recover woodland caribou, the policy’s main strategies are maintaining and restoring caribou habitat and carefully managing populations of alternate prey species and predators.
This year, government allocated $2 million in new funding to woodland caribou recovery. As well, the draft Lower Athabasca Regional Plan and early planning for the Lower Peace region identified four million hectares of new conservation areas. Proposed conservation zones are grouped to create a large contiguous area for wildlife habitat, which contributes to some caribou ranges.
The Woodland Caribou Policy focuses on range-specific implementation actions. Government will work with industry, communities and First Nations to provide clearly defined and active roles. Implementation plans will be supported by funding and efforts shared between industry and government. For more information, visit www.srd.alberta.ca.
“Partnerships and shared responsibility are essential and are built into the policy,” said Knight. “Active caribou stewardship is part of the price of development.”
The Alberta government is working to build a better Alberta by fostering economic growth, strengthening our health and education systems, investing in infrastructure, supporting safe and strong communities and ensuring a clean and healthy environment.
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