Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta says it has restored more than 6,100 kilometres of legacy seismic lines across caribou ranges since 2019, marking a sharp increase in habitat recovery efforts compared to previous years.
According to the province, just 87 kilometres were rehabilitated between 2015 and 2019. The acceleration follows the launch of Alberta’s Caribou Habitat Recovery Program, which coordinates large-scale restoration projects aimed at supporting the long-term survival of the species while maintaining economic activity.
Environment and Protected Areas Minister Grant Hunter said the province is pairing conservation with economic growth. He credited partnerships with Indigenous communities and industry for expanding restoration work, adding that Alberta intends to continue investing in habitat recovery while supporting local employment.
Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen echoed that message, saying environmental stewardship and economic development can advance together. He described the province’s approach as focused on practical measures that protect landscapes without undermining jobs.
To sustain the current pace, Alberta has signed memorandums of understanding with Syncrude Canada Ltd. and TC Energy. Under the agreements, Syncrude will provide approximately $6.95 million for restoration work in the Richardson caribou range, while TC Energy will contribute $5 million for projects in the Little Smoky range. Combined, the commitments total nearly $12 million.
Andrea Jalbert, vice-president of regulatory affairs for Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines at TC Energy, said the company is supporting the initiative in partnership with the province and Indigenous communities to strengthen caribou recovery efforts.
Legacy seismic lines—often remnants of decades-old oil and gas exploration, utility corridors, or access routes—have disrupted forest regeneration and wildlife habitat. Although many have not been used for years, natural regrowth has been slow, requiring active treatment such as tree planting and land contouring to restore ecosystems.
Since 2019, more than $90 million has been directed toward assessing and rehabilitating these disturbed areas under the Caribou Habitat Recovery Program. The province says centralizing efforts through the program allows industry contributions to be coordinated efficiently, rather than through separate company-led initiatives.
Officials maintain that the combined strategy of public investment, industry funding and Indigenous collaboration has positioned Alberta as a national leader in large-scale caribou habitat restoration.
