Continual Learning Through Adaptive Management
In order to keep innovating and improving, COSIA member companies know that monitoring and research is key. Adaptive management allows us to execute our plans, check the results, and adjust as needed to improve outcomes. Several key COSIA research and monitoring sites are helping to evaluate past restoration and reclamation approaches and inform future approaches.
Cenovus LiDea Experimental Site
In 2012, Cenovus began testing restoration approaches through a small-scale experiment. They tested different treatments like mounding the soil, applying woody materials, and tree planting. The results, still being monitored today, have informed ambitious linear restoration programs within the Cold Lake Woodland Caribou Range.
Evergreen Centre for Resource Excellence
Natural Resources Canada and COSIA have collaborated on a series of research projects at this long-term research and demonstration centre in Grande Prairie, AB. Key topics of interest are the role of different mound heights on restoration performance and testing mixing, and screefing.
Algar Linear Restoration Project
This large-scale restoration program, initiated in 2012, resulted in the treatment of approximately 392 km of seismic lines. Several COSIA member companies continue to monitor the outcomes to understand which practices are successful, which are not, and to inform future linear restoration programs.
Faster Forests Program
Several COSIA member companies currently participate in the Faster Forests program. This program aims to encourage a faster return of forests on oil sands exploration sites using careful approaches and tree planting.
