Deer, beaver, marten, grouse and song birds are just some of the wildlife that are prospering in a healthy forest that used to be part of Syncrude’s oil sands mining operations. Gateway Hill is also enjoyed by residents with its 4.5 kilometre Matcheetawin Trail that winds through the forest and wetlands.
“As soon as a mining area is no longer part of our operation, we start the process of reclaiming the land,” says Steve Gaudet, the Environmental Affairs manager at Syncrude. “Since we started operations in 1978, we’ve planted more than 5 million seedlings over more than 4,600 hectares of land.” But it takes years before an operator can apply for government reclamation certification. “Before we apply for certification, we have to prove the reclaimed land is healthy and robust and can sustain vegetation and wildlife similar to what it was prior to being disturbed,” says Gaudet.
The 104-hectare site was planted with broadleaf and
evergreen trees in 1983 and 25 years later, in 2008,
the Alberta government formally certified Gateway
Hill as reclaimed – the first such certification in the
oil sands industry.
So far, Syncrude has reclaimed more than 22 per cent of the land it has disturbed. As other areas mature, the company will apply for government certification. Meanwhile, Syncrude is committed to minimizing the amount of land it disturbs from the outset.
As part of the reclamation process, Syncrude works with plant ecologists to determine the best way to re-establish native plant species beyond the usual tree and shrub planting. They collect the berries and seeds from a number of plants including pin cherry, dogwood, blueberry, fireweed, Labrador Tea, and Dwarf Birch. “Material from each plant has to be picked at just the right stage of ripeness,” says Gaudet. “Each plant has its own germination preferences; for example some plants prefer spring planting to fall.” Furthermore, some seeds need to be nicked to allow water to enter while others are scarred with acid to mimic what happens when a berry goes through the digestive system of an animal.
“We also co-manage an award winning herd of 300 wood bison that graze on lands that have been reclaimed from oil sands and tailings pond operations,” says Gaudet. Syncrude and Fort McKay First Nation established Beaver Creek Wood Bison Ranch in 1993 and the herd consistently wins awards at livestock shows. Because of its excellent health, disease-free status, and pedigree, the herd is contributing to a genetic preservation project led by university and government scientists. “Every year, several bison are gifted to Fort McKay residents who use it to have a traditional harvest event,” says Gaudet.
Syncrude meets with members of the region’s Aboriginal communities every year to discuss reclamation. “We’re committed to working with all our stakeholders to make sure land reclamation in the Boreal Forest meets the needs and aspirations of the people in the area,” says Gaudet. “The vision is to leave behind forests, meadow, wetland, and lakes that can support a new generation of traditional, economic, and recreational uses, including forestry, hiking and fishing.”