Forests are essential to maintaining a healthy environment. Growing trees balance carbon dioxide in the air and forested land helps to regulate water flows from land to streams and rivers.

The people that work in Alberta’s forest industry understand the forests’ relationship with the surrounding environment. They use that understanding to design their forest management activities and to responsibly steward the impact their manufacturing operations have on the environment.

From pipefitters to researchers to accountants to engineers, people from all kinds of backgrounds and professions apply their skills in the forest industry.

Tens of thousands of Albertans have fulfilling, well-paid jobs in the forestry sector, and industry operations are the economic lifeblood of many Alberta communities.

Keeping our forests healthy and thriving is what good forest management is all about. That involves maintaining biodiversity, reducing threats from wildfire and insect infestations, preserving water quality and following high standards around sustainability.

In addition to keeping up with some of the most rigorous environmental regulations in the world, most Alberta forestry companies go above and beyond to earn independent, internationally-recognized sustainability certifications.

Health and safety for employees and the general public is the No. 1 priority for forest industry operations in Alberta.

AFPA is committed to creating safe work environments and promoting healthy workers. By staying ahead of emerging needs, knowledge and trends, and developing forward-thinking occupational health and safety solutions, we are continuously innovating to identify better ways to educate, inform and inspire better workplaces.

If you’re going to build something, you want to make sure your materials fit the job.

Every piece of lumber from AFPA’s members is evaluated and marked so that consumers know exactly what it can be used for – whether holding up the roof of a multi-storey building, or building planter boxes for your garden.

Safely moving heavy loads with large vehicles takes careful thought and planning.

The forest industry is fully committed to sharing the road safely, with a robust system of technologies, best practices, and inspections to make transport of timber, supplies, and finished forest products safe, smooth, and efficient.

We’re always excited to share more about what’s happening in the forest industry, and we want to make it easy for Albertans to get answers.

If you want a closer look at the industry, or have any questions for us, here’s how you can learn more and get in touch with AFPA.