COSIA’s Land Environmental Priority Area (EPA) is focused on reducing the footprint and impact of oil sands mining and in situ (in place) operations on the land and wildlife of northern Alberta. Through collaborations with universities, government and research institutes, industry, Aboriginal communities and the wider public, the Land EPA is bringing together world-class expertise to address complex issues related to integrated land management within Alberta’s boreal forests.

The Land EPA identified key issues facing the industry and is working to address the following:

  • footprint reduction — more efficient use of land by reducing the extent and duration of industrial footprints;
  • accelerate reclamation — reclaiming and restoring disturbed land in a timely manner;
  • preserve biodiversity — maintaining natural diversity including bird, mammal and fish
    species with a focus on species of management concern.

COSIA is the overarching collaborative hub within which companies set priorities, drive and share innovation and accelerate the pace of environmental performance improvements.

Examples of current projects include: