International Model Forest Network » Prince Albert Model Forest

In a nutshell

The Prince Albert Model Forest (PAMF) is a non-profit partnership of vibrant, resource-based communities where local people are equipped with the capacity to work together to engage in informed decision-making and implement actions that build diversity while fostering sustainability for future generations.

The Model Forest approach allows us to work with our partners to develop governance models for creating new resource-based opportunities, to build capacity around local people including indigenous communities, to manage those resources and new opportunities, to provide the tools and the forum that bring diverse groups together to integrate land management and to develop ideas and find solutions that lead to community sustainability.

Since it began in 1992, the Model Forest has gained credibility as a leader in integrated resource management, and has developed strong partnerships linking industry, governments, indigenous groups, communities, and researchers. PAMF is recognized internationally and nationally for its strength in indigenous and non-native partnerships.

Landscape

PAMF is located in central Saskatchewan, Canada, and covers a large expanse of Central-Northern Saskatchewan in the Mid-Boreal Upland and Lowland, Churchill River Upland and the Athabasca ecoregions of the boreal forest. The Model Forest includes portions of Prince Albert National Park and the community of Waskesiu, the Resort Village of Candle Lake, the Pasquia-Porcupine Forest Management Agreement area, the reserve lands of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, the reserve lands and community of Montreal Lake Cree Nation, the reserve lands of Lac La Ronge Indian Band and part of the provincial Crown land base.

The local economy is driven by resource-based industries of forestry, agriculture, and mining. Tourism also plays a key role in the economy.

Partnership

PAMFs provide a neutral forum of mutual respect for discussion and sharing of ideas, problems, concerns and solutions. Decisions are made that favour multiple partners rather than just one, and create models for long-term sustainability that can be applied to multiple communities while removing barriers to encourage multi-sector approaches. We gather and share ideas and knowledge in the interest of improving and strengthening working relationships among the partnership. We apply the principle of adaptive management, making modifications as required to improve our effectiveness.

Prince Albert Model Forest partners include:

Association of Saskatchewan Forestry Professionals
Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nation
Saskatchewan Research Council
Canadian Institute of Forestry – Saskatchewan Chapter
Conservation Learning Centre
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada
Lac La Ronge Indian Band
Mistawasis Nêhiyawak
North Saskatchewan River Basin Council
Prince Albert Grand Council
Redberry Lake Biosphere Reserve
Saskatchewan Forestry Association
Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources
Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment
Saskatchewan Polytechnic Applied Research
Sturgeon River Plains Bison Stewards
Nature Conservancy of Canada- Saskatchewan Chapter
Muskeg Lake Cree Nation

Sustainability

Strategic goals:

To assist in developing capacity and governance models in local resource-based Saskatchewan communities that encourage creation of new opportunities;
To proactively address challenges to community vulnerability by providing the research, tools and models that will assist those communities in transitioning to sustainability;
To bring together partners of industry and other community-level stakeholders to facilitate development of new resource-based opportunities for Saskatchewan communities in the southern boreal and aspen parkland ecoregions;
To develop and share sustainable resource management knowledge, research, practices, tools and experiences with international forest-based communities and their Model Forests.

Key actions in place to reach these goals:

Maintaining and seeking a diverse set of project partners and board members;
Taking an active role in engaging with partners;
Providing an inclusive forum for partners to meet and come up with innovative solutions and initiatives;
Expanding the Prince Albert Model Forest’s boundaries to include a broader set of ecoregions;
Expanding from forest-based initiatives to resource-based initiatives.

Key impacts:

A neutral and inclusive convening mechanism and meeting place is provided for stakeholders and rights holders;
Participation from a broader set of stakeholders and rights holders;
Initiatives that include the four pillars of sustainability- environmental, social, economic and cultural- which lead to more effective and meaningful resource-based projects and programs.

Award:

Prince Albert Model Forest received the 2017 RCE Saskatchewan award from the Regional Centre of Expertise and Education for Sustainable Development.