24TDR215 - Crown FMU MPB F23 (South) Alberta Vegetation Inventory

An accurate understanding of our Provincial Forest resource is foundational to informed resource management decision making. The Alberta Vegetation Inventory (AVI) is Alberta’s standardized digital forest inventory product that is foundational to our understanding of the provincial forest resource. AVI is an aerial imagery-based inventory that requires interpretation in a 3D digital environment referred to as “softcopy”. It is developed to spatially identify the type, extent, and condition of forest vegetation. The AVI is also a detailed, spatially explicit, inventory used to assist in the decision-making process for forest management planning, wildfire management, wildlife habitat classification, ecological classification, integrated resource management activities and mountain pine beetle (MPB) program decision making. The Crown is responsible for the management of forest management units (FMU) not included in forest management agreement (FMA) defined forest areas.

Due to the ongoing spread of MPB infestations within Alberta, the Province requires the inventory of three Forest Management Units (FMU) within central Alberta with a total area of approximately 390,000 hectares. The FMU identified for inventory is:

• Southern Portion of FMU 23

Understanding the forest resource with a standardized methodology consistent with inventories completed in Forest Management Agreement (FMA) areas will inform current and future forest health policy and strategies to control the populations of MPB ensuring healthy and vibrant forest communities within our Province.

Services shall adhere to the Government of Alberta’s (GoA) Alberta Vegetation Inventory Standards Version 2.1.5 available online via open government. Proponents must include an AVI Plan as part of their submission package to clearly articulate timelines for overall inventory completion as per Alberta vegetation inventory standards Version 2.1.5.