About CFSS

The Crowsnest Forest Stewardship Society (CFSS) was formed in 1995 and was registered as a non-profit Society and a Registered Charity in 1996. The CFSS is not directly tied to any Provincial or Federal Government Agency. The Stewardship Society's primary function is to provide a mechanism/vehicle for public and corporate participation and sponsorship of activities focused on the enhancement of Public Lands within the Rocky Mountain Forest Reserve, C-5 Forest Management Unit, to ensure the continuation and sustainability of multiple use opportunities, while maintaining environmental objectives.

The C.F.S.S. has over 650 members located throughout communities in Southern Alberta, with representation from all user groups and industry. Our executive is comprised of representatives for the majority of stakeholders in the C-5 area.

Our mission statement is:
As stewards, we are committed to active participation with land management agencies and other users, and to the promotion of public education regarding the responsible use of public lands within the C5 Forest Management Unit.

Our goals are to:
1. Develop, produce and distribute materials and programs focused on public education regarding proper stewardship of public lands within the Crowsnest Forest.
2. Participate with Land Management Agencies on enhancement, maintenance and reclamation within the Crowsnest Forest.
3. Promote the continuation and sustainability of multiple use opportunities while maintaining environmental objectives within the Crowsnest Forest.
The C.F.S.S. works closely with the ASRD Land & Forest Division in the C5. Due to Government budget constraints, the Stewardship Society has been a prime stakeholder in projects undertaken in the C5 for preservation, reclamation, trail maintenance, and implementation and support of the Castle Special Management Plan (SMP) Forest Land Use Zone. This SMP was the first legislated plan that manages motorized access, summer and winter, in Alberta's public lands. The Stewardship Society was a primary driving force with Darryl Johnson of the local SRD Land & Forest Division, and other stakeholders (including all users groups) for the long overdue implementation of the Special Management Plan. This plan was implemented in 1996 with voluntary compliance, and because of the combined efforts of the Stewardship Society, local user groups, and local Forestry Officials, the plan has been helping to lessen the impact on the environment. We also have been involved with implementing and coordinating a very successful annual Stewardship Day that has just completed its' successful 10th year! The first Stewardship Volunteer day was initiated by Darryl Johnson, SRD, in 1995, and then taken over that summer by the newly formed Crowsnest Forest Stewardship Society. The projects are done in conjunction with the SRD and volunteers, with donated materials and equipment from local businesses, the community and industry. Over the years, much improvement has been noted throughout the area. Hands on stewardship projects have made a difference in the education and understanding of the users as they accept responsibility for their actions.

Through the dedication and effort of our volunteers, over the past 10 years, the CFSS has experienced/coordinated the following successes:
over $255,200.00 in 'sweat equity' volunteer labor has been donated,
On our 10th Stewardship Day, 2004, we again had over 300 participants with over $100,000.00 of donated volunteer time, materials and equipment going in to projects in our Crown Lands to maintain sustainable multi-use.

The CFSS tries to identify issues that need to be addressed, and then looks to finding solutions for those issues in co-operation with the land managers, public, industry, and organizations. The most recent project the CFSS has undertaken is a credible GIS trail monitoring system for the C-5. This project includes obtaining an initial baseline database with the GPS mapping of motorized and non-motorized trails in the C-5 and also a very detailed assessment of those trails - 24 features and 59 attributes. The first phase 2003 was a success despite the closures due to the Lost Creek Fire. 442 km of designated motorized trails South of CNP and 453 km of trails north of CNP were mapped and extensively assessed. The second phase of the project this year will complete the assessment and mapping of the major motorized trails in the North, re-do any trails required in the LCF zone, and also assess the major hiking/horseback trails in the C-5. The need for good scientific monitoring baseline data has been identified as an integral part of any planning process and has been established as part of the Castle Special Management Area FLUZ. This human use GIS layer has been missing from the databases and will also aid in the planning process for any future access management plans in the remainder of the C-5 area. The information gathered is available for all land use planning agencies and organizations. This unique project, with partnerships from all sectors of the communities, will be an excellent educational tool for users and planners.