Since 1929 it was recognized that Alberta’s caribou would soon need some protection and that their range was becoming limited. (Alberta Forestry Lands and Wildlife. 1986. Woodland Caribou Provincial Restoration Plan.
74pp.) Since then many promises have been made and broken. These are just some of the documents:
1. 1977. A Policy for Resource Management of the Eastern Slopes. Alberta Energy and Natural Resources. July. 18pp.
- Critical wildlife habitat will be protected to maintain those species presently found in the Eastern Slopes.
- The resources of the Eastern Slopes will be utilized and developed, consistent with principles of conservation and environmental protection”.
2. 1978. Caribou management outline for Alberta Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Division.. Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Division. 4 pp.
- 8.Establish Wildlife Sanctuaries, Preserves, Reservations, and Management Areas to Ensure Caribou Survival
3. 1981. The Strategy of Today for Fish and Wildlife Tomorrow. Fish and Wildlife Division.Goals:
- To protect and maintain all present caribou populations and their habitat
- To protect and manage the current and historically important caribou ranges so as to increase the total provincial caribou population to a minimum of 5,000 animals with a projected goal of 10,000 animals.
4. 1984. The Status of Fish and Wildlife Resource in Alberta. Government of Alberta. Edmonton, AB.
- Protect currently occupied habitat of about 166,000 square kilometers (64,000 square miles) within the current range.
- Maintain historically important caribou ranges.”
5. 1986. Woodland Caribou Provincial Restoration Plan Alberta Forestry Lands and Wildlife.. 74 pp.
- Habitat protection is a key factor in maintaining viable caribou populations and is of primary importance for managing caribou in Alberta.
6. 1993. Strategy for Conservation of Woodland Caribou in Alberta. Alberta Fish and Wildlife Services. Edmonton, Alberta. Draft for discussion. 32 pp.
- “Woodland caribou in Alberta declined during the 1970’s and 1980’s. Concern for the welfare of the remaining populations resulted in a provincial policy classification of threatened in 1985 and a provincial restoration plan in 1986. The plan recommended inventory of caribou, public education to reduce man-caused mortalities and habitat protection measures.”
7. 1996. Alberta’s Woodland Caribou Conservation Strategy Alberta Woodland Caribou Conservation Strategy Development Committee.. 58 pp.
- The tools associated with habitat supply and sustainability, predator management, access management, protected area designations and other limiting factors assessments will be used to develop specific caribou management plans.
8. 1996. National Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk Environment Canada..http://www.ec.gc.ca/press/wild_b_e.htm
- In 1996 the National Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk in Canada was signed by Alberta. It committed provincial governments to provide protection for the habitat of threatened and endangered species.
9. 2005. Alberta Woodland Caribou Recovery Plan 2004/05 – 2013/14. The Alberta Woodland Caribou Recovery Team. Alberta Species at Risk Recovery Plan No. 4
http://www.landusekn.ca/resource/alberta- woodland-caribou-recovery-plan-200405-201314-albertaspecies-risk-recovery-plan-no
- The recovery plan goals are linked to the rationale for listing the species in Alberta, and focus on: 1) achieving self-sustaining woodland caribou herds; 2) maintaining the distribution of caribou in Alberta; and 3) ensuring habitat requirements are met for woodland caribou over the long-term throughout caribou ranges in the province.
10. 2009. Athabasca Caribou Landscape Management Options Report Athabasca Landscape Team (ALT).. http://www.albertacariboucommittee.ca/PDF/Athabasca-Caribou.pdf
- The ALT determined that there is insufficient functional habitat to maintain and increase current caribou distribution and population growth rates within the Athabasca Landscape area. Boreal caribou will not persist for more than two to four decades without immediate and aggressive management intervention. Tough choices need to be made between the management imperative to recover boreal caribou and plans for ongoing bitumen development and industrial land-use.
- The ALT’s analyses show that the time for management action in the Athabasca Landscape area is now. Risk of extirpation increases yearly, and further delays in management action implementation will compound the current challenges.
11. 2011. A Woodland Caribou Policy for Alberta Alberta Government http://srd.alberta.ca/FishWildlife/WildlifeManagement/CaribouManagement/documents/WoodlandCaribouPolicy-Alberta-Jun2011.pdf
- Maintaining caribou habitat is the immediate priority.
- Restoring disturbed habitat is a critical component of caribou habitat management.
12. 2012. Alberta Government’s Lower Athabasca Regional Plan (LARP) Alberta Government https://www.landuse.alberta.ca/LandUse%20Documents/Lower%20Athabasca%20Regional%20Plan%202012-2022%20Approved%202012-08.pdf – The framework will be developed by the end of 2013 and will:
- Set targets for selected biodiversity indicators (vegetation, aquatic and wildlife); and
- Address caribou habitat needs in alignment with provincial caribou policy