ALBERTA’S FORESTS: A place for students to grow By Emma Kniel
I
n Alberta, the word “forestry” often
wide labour shortage. The campaign
systems, robust wildlife habitats, natural
evokes specific images: lumberjacks,
informs youth on sustainable forest
forest disturbances, and prosperous
plaid, chainsaws, and large logging
management practices and provides
communities. These experts have a deep
equipment. What is often missed
resources on the variety of rewarding
understanding of how our ecosystems
are the countless other pieces to one
career opportunities in Alberta’s forest
work and dedicate their lives to our
of Alberta’s largest resource industries.
industry.
forests’ care. Not quite the stereotypical
Currently, the forest industry is a massive source of career opportunities for youth.
Before any harvesting happens in
lumberjack!
Alberta, professionals must create
During the Work Wild program’s
complex management plans, which span
inception, it was clear that additional
The Alberta Forest Products Association
200 years into the future. These plans
misconceptions were surrounding
launched the Work Wild campaign
do not just account for wood supply;
the industry. Many students believed
in 2011 in response to an industry-
they must also plan for healthy water
forestry jobs were low-tech, and there
12 Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2022
