October 12, 2010

NAIT awarded $2.3-million for boreal forest research

Largest applied research grant in NAIT’s history will develop land reclamation practices

October 12, 2010 – The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) announced today that novaNAIT’s Boreal Research Institute in Peace River, Alberta will receive $2.3 million over the next five years to support boreal forest reclamation research.

“The boreal region covers 58 per cent of Alberta,” says Hugh Seaton, manager of the Boreal Research Institute. “With expansion in the oil and gas sector, the need for reclamation is growing.”

The Boreal Research Institute was established fifteen years ago.  In 2008, the Boreal Reclamation Program was launched to develop best practices to restore industrial sites to a state similar to their original condition using native boreal plants.

“Our partnership with NSERC will allow us to build a research centre of excellence in northwest Alberta. Our Boreal Reclamation Program brings together researchers, government, industry, First Nations and Métis communities,” adds Seaton. “Our research will ensure that future generations of Albertans can enjoy this vital habitat.”

Over the next five years, NAIT faculty and students from the School of Sustainable Building and Environmental Management including programs such as Forest Technology and Biological Sciences, will be engaged in the applied research activities.

“Not only does this enrich the learning experience and practical hands-on skills of our students,” says Dr. Paula Burns, provost and vice president academic, “it also allows faculty to engage in cutting edge applied research and further support the wealth of experience they already bring to the classroom.”

The NSERC grant is delivered through the College and Community Innovation Program. “The CCI Program supports innovation at a community level by fostering collaboration between industry and post-secondary institutions,” said Dr. Suzanne Fortier, President of NSERC, which administers the program. “When local companies and colleges work together, everyone benefits; jobs are created, industry expands and the community prospers. This program transforms research and development into economic benefit for the people and businesses in their areas.”

Shell Canada is an important partner in the project, having committed $520,000 in total towards the program. “Shell takes a life cycle approach when planning its development activities,” says Trevor Hindmarch, Shell Canada environmental team lead. “That’s why we believe it is important to fund research projects like this that help us identify the best practices. We are happy that novaNAIT has received NSERC’s support and look forward to working together over the next five years.”


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Additional Resources:

Photographs of novaNAIT’s Boreal Research Institutes are available on Flickr. (Credit NAIT photography)

View NSERC’s press release

About:
novaNAIT supports and facilitates applied research and development, leading to relevant products and services. For more information go to: www.novanait.ca

NAIT
NAIT is one of the preeminent institutes of technology in Canada, providing real-world education in business, advanced technologies and skilled trades to more than 84,000 learners worldwide. Known for student success, NAIT also engages with business and industry in applied research and innovation and provides corporate training around the world.


For more information, please contact:
Hugh Seaton
Manager
novaNAIT Boreal Research Institute
P 780.618.2602 E hseaton@nait.ca

Ruth Juliebo
Media Relations Coordinator
NAIT
P 780.378.2815 C 780.916.8307 E ruthj@nait.ca

Shannon Cobb
Media Relations and Public Affairs Officer
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
P 613-996-3861 E shannon.cobb@nserc-crsng.gc.ca