The University of Alberta has received funding for two new environmental research chairs. As explained in this Edmonton Journal article, the funding comes from a group of oilsands companies - the Canadian Oilsands Innovation Alliance - who are hoping to improve the industry's work in the boreal forest by. Research will focus on the development of strategies and policies to protect wildlife, plants and forests, as well as land reclamation.
The two research chairs were awarded to ecologist Stan Boutin and conservation biologist Scott Nielsen.
