Canada's boreal forest is home to the oil sands. Suncor is commited to being a good steward of the land through responsible resource development. We are taking a lead role in discussions about how to balance conservation of Canada's valuable boreal forest — one of the world's largest intact ecosystems — with responsible resource development. Suncor is a signatory to the Boreal Forest Conservation Framework — a groundbreaking national conservation vision developed by 11 First Nations, environmental groups and resource companies.

Suncor is working on a number of fronts to minimize our impact in the boreal region:

• Advanced reclamation techniques at our oil sands mining operations. These include contouring the land for a natural appearance, providing suitable drainage and minimizing erosion by planting native trees, grasses and bushes.
• Conservation of environmentally sensitive boreal habitats. Work begun by the Alberta Conservation Association and supported by the Suncor Energy Foundation has led to the protection of more than 950 acres of boreal forest surrounding Winagami Lake in Alberta's Peace Country.
• Advanced technology to minimize our footprint. In-situ bitumen extraction allows Suncor to use only a fraction of the land required for conventional oil sands mining. In our natural gas operations, low-impact seismic lines and horizontal drilling help reduce our environmental footprint in sensitive areas.
• Monitoring wildlife activity. We pay close attention to how our operations affect the environment, especially wildlife. In partnership with a variety of organizations, Suncor invests in research, monitoring and conservation activities. This includes habitat restoration for caribou along our North Cabin natural gas pipeline, and post-construction avian monitoring projects and bat mortality studies at our wind farms. Suncor follows an integrated approach to landscape management and wildlife protection. And we're open to modifying our plans to help reduce impacts to wildlife.
• Working with others. Suncor proactively consults with stakeholders to continually improve on the work we are doing to preserve biodiversity.
  • Suncor regularly seeks input from our Aboriginal neighbours on reclamation initiatives.
  • We are a member of the Cumulative Environmental Management Association, a multi-stakeholder group in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, to develop and implement management tools to reduce ecosystem disturbance in the region.
  • We consult with other resource companies about how to minimize local impacts. This includes sharing access roads or using land already disturbed by previous development.
  • Suncor is a partner in a project aimed at restoring the woodland caribou herd in the west-central Alberta area of Little Smoky.