Foothills Research Institute works toward sustainable forest land use. To do so, it engages a range of forest and forest resource users, a consensus-driven partnership, and a shared decision-making process. It looks at the impact of primarily industrial use on the local ecology, economy, society, and culture. Research is practical—in search of answers to specific forest land management questions. It seeks to 1) understand and reduce the collective footprint of forest users on the local area and to 2) identify ways to measure ecological, social and economic sustainability. Additionally, research is applicable—developing, testing, and implementing new information, ideas, and techniques.
But research is just one facet of Foothills Research Institute. It promotes understanding as well. Namely, it reports research results to its partners, government agencies, and the public. It shares new practices and technology with both researchers and the public—presenting workshops and classes and producing manuals, handbooks, and other tools. It also demonstrates the tools it has developed and techniques it has implemented.
For example, there is the "Highway 40 Demonstration Project." This project demonstrates natural and industrial disturbances on the landscape as well as mitigation attempts. Highway 40 runs through the 60,000-hectare study area; along it soon will be signs explaining model forest research. The Highway 40 Project involves the Foothills Research Institute, some government divisions, and three partners: Alberta Newsprint Company, West Fraser Mills Ltd., and Weyerhaeuser Canada Limited.