Fonds 2007.1 - Aleza Lake Research Forest fonds

Title and statement of responsibility area

Title proper

Aleza Lake Research Forest fonds

General material designation

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    Title notes

    • Source of title proper: Title based on content of fonds.

    Level of description

    Fonds

    Reference code

    2007.1

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    Edition statement

    Edition statement of responsibility

    Class of material specific details area

    Statement of scale (cartographic)

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    Statement of coordinates (cartographic)

    Statement of scale (architectural)

    Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)

    Dates of creation area

    Date(s)

    • 1913-2001 (Creation)
      Creator
      Aleza Lake Research Forest

    Physical description area

    Physical description

    • 3.71 m textual records
    • 419 photographs
    • 76 maps
    • 5 technical drawings
    • 2 architectural drawings
    • 6 computer disks ; 9 x 9 cm

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    Archival description area

    Name of creator

    (1924-present)

    Administrative history

    Created in 1912, the Ministry of Forests and Range, then known as the Department of Lands, recommended strong research programs towards further development of the forest industry in British Columbia. In 1923, research activities were implemented, and at that time, Assistant Chief Forester, Bob St. Clair, recommended the development of forest experiment stations. In 1924, the Aleza Lake Experiment Station opened east of Prince George, BC, where different research projects began, focusing on soil types and trees. The objectives of the Experiment Station were related to forest management, particularly growth and mortality of white spruce and balsam, soils, and spatial planning. By 1930, the Research Division was the most active throughout Canada. However, due to significant cutbacks during the Depression years, the loss of key figures occurred; many of whom were central to the success of the Research Division, such as Percy M. Barr, who headed the Division. After 38 years of operation, the Aleza Lake Experiment Station was formally closed in 1963 due to budget restrictions, and all remaining buildings were removed or destroyed. However, now re-named as the Aleza Lake Forest Reserve, the Department of Lands and Forests transferred the Reserve to the Prince George Forest District for a ten-year period. After this timeframe expired, no further review was given and the Aleza Lake Forest Reserve was considered abandoned until 1981 when some permanent sample plots were found and re-measured. Through their diligence, John Revel, and Harry Coates, both employees of the BC Forest Service at the time, re-measured these plots knowing the significance of past experiments conducted at the Research Forest. Coates had also retained the original data from the permanent sample plots. Coates and Revel were both key figures in having the Research Forest re-opened because of their knowledge of previous experiments conducted before the Experiment Station was closed. In 1984, by Order-In-Council, the Aleza Lake Forest Reserve was amalgamated with the Purden Forest Reserve. In the late 1980s, there was a push for the Research Forest to be re-opened because of its potential for forest management research and demonstration. As a result, the Aleza Lake Steering Committee was formed in 1990, consisting of representatives from the Ministry of Forests, Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, and Northwood Pulp and Timber Limited. In 1992, the Research Forest was reopened with a management and working plan in place and was officially renamed the Aleza Lake Research Forest, and in 2001, the forest became the fourth university research forest in British Columbia. The Aleza Lake Research Forest is now managed by the Aleza Lake Research Forest Society, a partnership between the University of Northern British Columbia, University of British Columbia, one delegated representative from the BC Ministry of Forests and Range, Prince George Regional office, and a delegated representative alternating between the BC Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management, Prince George office. Today, the central mandate of the Research Forest is to provide multidisciplinary programs focusing on partial cut harvest systems, biological diversity, climate change, and environmental monitoring in small forest tenures.

    Scope and content

    Contains significant materials covering a wide range of topics related to forestry research and forest management practices in Central British Columbia from the 1920s to the 1980s with the bulk of the materials dating from 1924 to 1963. Includes early surveys and descriptions of the Upper Fraser area, early maps and plans of the Research Forest, and historical meteorological registers from the area. Also includes unpublished scientific reports, communications, administrative and technical reports, timber sale records, and general forestry related reports and publications. Photographs include images of the Experimental Station dating from its inception and images of the Young Men's Forestry Training Program situated at Aleza Lake in 1936. Research records include experimental plot files that contain field notebooks dating from 1928 to 1958 which note locations of the experimental plots as well as sample plots from the surrounding areas of Hutton, Penny, and Foreman. The field notebooks also record growth and mortality data of white spruce balsam from 1928 to 1958 and soil types. The fonds also contains some records related to the re-emergence of the Aleza Lake Research Forest (ALRF) in the 1980s and 1990s.

    Notes area

    Arrangement

    Records arranged with the Ministry of Forests and Range Records Classification System. Special materials (photographs, maps/plans, and electronic media) as well as published reports have been described to the item level.

    Language of material

    • English

    Script of material

      Location of originals

      Availability of other formats

      This fonds has been digitized and is available in digital formats (PDF and JPEG). Access the digitized files by clicking on the thumbnail image(s) at the top each description. The digitized files and items may not be an exact representation of the originals. The following may be excluded: special materials (such as photographs, maps, oversize material, and electronic media), unlicensed copyrighted works, works restricted per privacy legislation, small ephemera (such as business cards or post-its), duplicate documents within the file, and blank sheets. To see the original archival material in person, contact archives@unbc.ca

      Restrictions on access

      Some restrictions apply. Restricted content has been redacted from digitized files. For more information contact archives@unbc.ca

      Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication

      Personal or academic use of materials is welcomed under the standard fair dealing and educational use clauses of Canadian Copyright Law. Commercial use is, however, forbidden without the express permission of the copyright holder. For information on obtaining written permission from the copyright holder, please contact the Northern B.C. Archives and Special Collections.

      Finding aids

      Browse digitized photographs: https://bit.ly/2uOLrFy
      Browse digitized air photos: https://bit.ly/2YP8rlr
      Browse digitized maps: https://bit.ly/2EvwJbP
      Browse digitized reports and documents: https://bit.ly/2BUpNDB

      Associated materials

      For further information related to the Aleza Lake Experiment Station:
      • See archival holdings at BC Archives (http://www.bcarchives.gov.bc.ca/index.htm) Record Group GR-0958
      • See BC Forest Service photographic holdings at The Exploration Place (http://www.theexplorationplace.com/).

      Accruals

      No further accruals expected.

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