CALGARY, Alberta — As winter approaches, a familiar battle is reigniting in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. West Fraser Timber, a major logging company, has announced plans to begin clearcutting operations in the South Kananaskis region, a popular recreation area just west of Calgary, potentially starting as early as December 1. This move comes two years after a similar proposal in the same area around Loomis Creek and the Highwood River was halted amid public outcry, highlighting ongoing tensions between forestry interests and environmental conservation in Alberta's public lands.
The announcement has spurred a renewed wave of opposition, with blockaders setting up along Highway 40 to raise awareness and prevent the logging. According to freelance writer and lifelong hiker Leon Everly, who visited the site last weekend, the barricade has become a symbol of community solidarity. "When I arrived at the barricade, spirits were incredibly high," Everly wrote in an opinion piece published by the Calgary Herald. "For a city that is notoriously reluctant to go to protests, I was encouraged to find people from all walks of life coming together to save this forest."
Everly described the group as a diverse coalition, including residents concerned about the impacts on local watersheds. People from Nanton and High River, towns downstream from the Highwood River, have been particularly vocal, citing the river as a key source of their drinking water. "Some residents of Nanton and High River were particularly concerned about clearcutting in their headwaters, because they get drinking water from the Highwood," Everly reported. Others at the blockade emphasized the threat to world-class fly fishing, hiking, and camping opportunities that draw thousands of visitors annually to Kananaskis Country.
The planned clearcuts target a massive stretch of old-growth forest in an area that has already seen smaller logging operations over the past two winters. Everly noted that while those earlier cuts "have escaped public notice," the current proposal has gained traction thanks to the blockaders' efforts, making headlines across southern Alberta. Driving along Highway 40, he observed the scarred landscape: "I could see smaller clearcuts from the past two winters dotting the mountain landscape."
Environmental concerns center on the ecological damage caused by clearcutting, a practice that involves removing all trees from an area in one go. According to Everly, it "erodes soil and destroys wildlife habitat, stripping away biodiversity and turning ancient ecosystems into muddy fields." He added that in place of diverse old-growth forests, the method often leads to monocultures of replanted pines, benefiting the logging industry but offering little to wildlife or water systems. "To add insult to injury, clearcutting diminishes the storage capacity of our headwaters, which supply water for almost all of Alberta and Saskatchewan," Everly wrote.
This isn't the first time such plans have faced resistance in Kananaskis. Two years ago, a public movement mobilized against a similar clearcutting initiative in the Loomis Creek and Highwood River area. Thousands of Albertans sent letters to provincial officials, but the government did not intervene directly. Ultimately, the project was stopped not by provincial action but by the discovery that West Fraser lacked a required permit from the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans to build a bridge across the Highwood River. That permit was needed to protect threatened native bull trout, a species at risk in the region.
"You would have thought that the public backlash meant something to the province," Everly commented. "The public had to rely on a federal fisheries regulation to gain the power to stop the logging. I’m grateful that we have the legal framework to protect threatened native bull trout, but I think the province should simply listen to people about this issue." The recurrence of the issue, he argued, reflects a broader failure in Alberta's forestry management policies.
West Fraser Timber has not publicly responded to the latest blockade in detail, but the company's plans align with its ongoing operations under provincial timber quotas. Alberta's Ministry of Forests, Lands, Parks and Wildlife oversees logging permits on public lands, balancing economic interests with environmental protection. Officials from the ministry have not issued a statement on the specific Kananaskis proposal as of late November, though past responses to public concerns have emphasized sustainable forestry practices.
Proponents of the logging, including industry representatives, often argue that it supports jobs and the provincial economy. Alberta's forestry sector contributes significantly to GDP, with companies like West Fraser employing hundreds in the region. However, critics like Everly contend that better alternatives exist, such as selective logging and ecological regenerative methods. "Better forestry practices exist, such as selective logging and ecological regenerative logging," he wrote. "The Ministry of Forestry should bring our forest management laws into the 21st century by integrating the newest research on ecosystem management, species-at-risk and ecological logging."
Kananaskis Country, established in 1978 as a provincial park and recreation area, spans over 4,000 square kilometers of diverse terrain, from alpine meadows to dense forests. Its proximity to Calgary—about an hour's drive—has made it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic boosted visitation. In response to overcrowding, the Alberta government introduced a paid Kananaskis Conservation Pass in 2021, charging $15 daily or $30 annually to manage traffic and fund maintenance. "Recreation in Kananaskis has increased so much in the past five years that the Alberta government created a paid park pass in 2021 to deter visitors and better manage the area," Everly noted, underscoring public investment in the area's preservation.
The blockade's timing is strategic, coinciding with the seasonal closure of Highway 40, which typically shuts down from December 1 to June 15 for wildlife protection and avalanche control. This closure could facilitate logging access without summer traffic, but it also limits public oversight. Blockaders have been on site for the past two months, enduring cold weather to maintain their presence. Everly described the scene as inspiring: "It’s not a group of angry environmentalists. It’s a collection of ordinary Albertans making time to stand up for something that they cherish."
Broader implications extend beyond Kananaskis to Alberta's Eastern Slopes, a critical zone for water supply and biodiversity. The Highwood River, originating in the Rockies, feeds into the Oldman River basin, supporting agriculture, municipalities, and ecosystems downstream. Any disruption from logging could exacerbate drought risks in a province already grappling with climate change. Environmental groups, though not directly quoted in recent reports, have long advocated for stricter regulations on clearcutting in headwater areas.
As momentum builds, organizers are calling for more public involvement. "More ordinary people need to get involved and lend their voice to this cause," Everly urged. "With enough support, we can protect Kananaskis forever, protect our headwaters and change forestry management in the Eastern Slopes." Petitions and letter-writing campaigns similar to those two years ago are circulating online, aiming to pressure provincial leaders.
The provincial government, led by Premier Danielle Smith, has faced criticism for its environmental policies, including rollbacks on some conservation measures. At a recent United Conservative Party convention, Smith drew boos for comments on other issues, but forestry has not been a central focus. Officials say they are reviewing public input, but no timeline for a decision on the West Fraser permit has been announced.
Looking ahead, the outcome could set a precedent for forest management in Alberta. If the clearcutting proceeds, it might fuel further activism; if halted again, it could prompt policy reforms. For now, the blockaders remain vigilant, their campfires flickering against the snowy peaks as December 1 looms. The fate of this cherished landscape hangs in the balance, dependent on the voices of those who call it home.