Conservation and Biodiversity

Conservation AND BIODIVERSITY

AbitibiBowater actively protects biodiversity and species at risk by identifying and maintaining a proportion of over-mature stands in the forests we manage. AbitibiBowater participates in woodland caribou research and recovery plans and ensures forest health, including regeneration after harvest. We protect watersheds, water resources, and the fish and wildlife that depend on them and partner in government and private sector research to improve forest management.

We work closely with government and research organization biologists to address the habitat needs of woodland caribou, moose, bald eagles, martens and other boreal wildlife. We use computer modeling to ensure that suitable habitat is maintained over time. We also identify and manage important natural features, such as standing tree reserves in critical habitat areas.

All of the initiatives and actions undertaken by AbitibiBowater build from our core commitment to protect, manage and renew the forest through responsible management. This recognizes that it is possible to carefully harvest trees while maintaining biodiversity and protecting the forest values we all respect.

Conservation

• Blandings Turtle Recovery, Nova Scotia
• 102 hectares (252 acres) of land in northern Queens County designated to protect the second-largest known population of Blandings turtle, a nationally threatened and provincially endangered species
• Cumberland Plateau, Tennessee
• Donated approximately 1,214 hectares (3,000 acres) of forest land in East Tennessee to the state as part of an ongoing conservation partnership.
• Kettle Island, Gatineau, Québec
• Donated 184 hectares (455 acres) of mature forests and wetlands
• Eight species that are rare or threatened with extinction are protected thanks to this donation.
• Lloyd's Escarpment, Newfoundland
• Land donation of 768 hectares (1,897 acres) to Nature Conservancy Canada in 2003
• Identification of High Conservation Value Forest
• Three projects completed (Fort Frances, Iroquois Falls and Saguenay)
• Memorandum of Understanding with the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Dogwood Alliance
• To promote biodiversity through wood purchasing and land management operations in the US
• Saint Lawrence Valley, Québec
• In 2006, we signed an agreement with The Nature Conservancy endowing 1,400 hectares (3,460 acres) of wetlands in the Mauricie region
• Tunnel Island, Ontario
• Land donation of 120 hectares (297 acres) for Common Ground partnership to the City of Kenora and Grand Council Treaty #3 in 2007
• Urban Forest, Thunder Bay, Ontario (see Education below)

Research

• Caribou research, Quebec and Ontario
• We participate in radio collaring and other research projects in partnership with universities, governments and research organizations to identify and protect woodland caribou habitat
• Committed to three-year annual funding to NCASI’s Caribou & Nutrition Research Program (starting in 2009)
• Cumberland Plateau, Tennessee
• Donated approximately 1,214 hectares (3,000 acres) of forest land in East Tennessee to the state as part of an ongoing conservation partnership.
• Legacy Forest, Ontario
• We are a partner in an 800,000 hectares (1,976,843 acres) living laboratory to research forest management, wildlife habitats and biodiversity

Education

• Urban Forest, Thunder Bay, Ontario
• In cooperation with the city of Thunder Bay, we are establishing an urban forest surrounding the new Broadway Avenue.