Aesthetic Value
The 2012 Harvest in West Bragg had all the slash (branches/tree tops/fine fuels) and stumps removed, while also protecting broadleaf vegetation. This was intended for fire hazard reduction and a more permanent fire break, but it also lead to a relatively quick transition to natural grassland with aspen and other broad leaf trees regenerating. The planned harvest will be a standard harvest with stumps left to decay for decades and slash left across the slope. The steeper the slope, the more slash is left behind. The proposed harvest has many steep slopes inside the planned cutblocks. |
This will not be a FireSmart harvest
In 2012, SLS harvested a significant portion of the West Bragg area with a focus on the wildfire threat to Bragg Creek. They removed all combustibles (slash/stumps) and harvested in a way that encouraged regrowth of grass, shrubs and fire resistant Aspen trees. This harvest will not be conducted under FireSmart principles, slash and stumps will be left behind and involve a scarification process to encourage a highly flammable coniferous regrowth. We explain this in further detail on the Wildfire Hazard page. |
Q: "What's missing?" A: "55% - more trails in the area/region".(Recreation Use and Experience Survey Results: Elbow Valley Summer 2020 Published by Alberta Environment and Parks)
- Q: "What are the most desirable features in this area for your outdoor recreational activities?" A: Out of 24 possibilities, the 2nd most common response was "Beauty/Scenery/Views/Mountains/Trees".
- Q: "Why do you participate in outdoor recreation" A: "96.4% - connecting to nature"