Foothills
Introduction
The Foothills management area contains a range of ecosystems, landscapes and animals. The namesake Foothills Natural Region makes up the bulk of this area's land, with small portions of Rocky Mountain and Boreal Forest natural regions along the west and east edges, respectively. The area covers 18 921 square kilometres that's over three million hectares starting near the hamlet of Entwistle, stretching west along the axis of the Yellowhead Highway and then to the British Columbia border and Jasper National Park boundary. North and south boundaries are partially defined by the Berland and Pembina rivers, respectively.
Where to find us
The area head office is in Edson. Fishing and hunting permits and Christmas tree licenses can be purchased at SRD offices in most major towns in the area. See map for locations of area offices.
The local economy
Forestry, oil and natural gas, mining, tourism and agriculture are important contributors to the diverse economy of the area. There is also a strong meat processing sector for the thriving nontraditional livestock in the area.
Area wildlife
Wildlife found in this area includes:
- bighorn sheep,
- elk, white-tailed and mule deer,
- woodland caribou,
- wolf,
- cougar,
- grizzly and black bear, and
- mountain goat.
Bighorn sheep and mountain goat are two species highly sought by hunters.
Tourism and recreation
Recreational opportunities in the area vary greatly. Camping, hunting and fishing, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, canoeing, rafting, both downhill and cross-country skiing and off-road vehicle riding are only some of the activities that take place over this marvelous landscape.
There are four provincial parks in the Foothills area, as well as Rock Lake-Solomon Creek Wildland Provincial Park and Willmore Wilderness Park. The only model forest in the province of Alberta the Foothills Model Forest is located in the Hinton area.
Other
The Foothills management area has become a leader in implementing landscape FireSmart plans to protect regional communities The formation of partnerships with industry, municipal governments and other key stakeholders has proven fundamental to the success of the FireSmart program.
The current mountain pine beetle control program in the Willmore/Kakwa Wilderness Park area is another example of how working in partnership with other agencies has reinforced our efforts to protect Alberta's forests.
Cadomin Cave is one of the most accessible and best known cave complexes in Alberta. Cadomin Cave is one of only three known bat hibernacula (overwintering sites) in the Alberta Rockies. Bats from as far away as Rumsey use Cadomin Cave because it provides the right combination of temperature and humidity during the winter.
