By rdnewsNOW staff

87 million acres

Alberta Forest Week offers free activities for families and kids

May 3, 2020 | 8:30 PM

Alberta Forest Week is May 3-9, and there are ways to mark the occasion while being cooped up due to COVID-19.

In a release from the province, it’s noted that about 60 per cent of Alberta, or 87 million acres, is forested.

The forests belong to all Albertans as they reside on Crown land, the release states.

“A working forest is a healthy forest. Alberta has world-class sustainable forest management practices that regenerate forests, defend against the mountain pine beetle, provide jobs and economic opportunities, and protect communities within our forests,” says Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.

“Foresters replant millions of trees every year and intelligently reduce wildfire risk with sustainable harvesting. These measures ensure our forests will be healthy and safe for generations to come.”

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Forestry businesses accounted for the province’s third largest resource sector, as of 2018, and employs nearly 19,000 Albertans.

Albertans are encouraged to respect the guidance on outdoor activities this week and beyond.

Options include going for a walk in a Forest Protection Area or another forested area, and downloading the Bertie Beaver and EnviroKids activity books for free.

More Forest Week activities are at Alberta.ca.