Webinar: Climate Change Risks and Bull Trout
On behalf of the FRIAA-funded Forest Knowledge Extension program hosted by West Fraser, we’re excited to kick off a new year of Lunch & Learn webinar presentations!
In this special double-header webinar, we will hear about two FRIAA-funded projects. Doug Turner will share results of a comprehensive Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Strategy across five FMUs in Alberta, and Mark Poesch will share findings from a study examining bull trout habitat and factors that influence it.
When:
Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026; 12:00–1:00 MST
What to Expect:
Presentation from Doug Turner, Alberta Forest Stewardship Superintendant (West Fraser)
Presentation from Dr. Mark Poesch, Associate Professor (University of Alberta)
About our Presenters:
Originally from the UK, Doug Turner is a forestry professional with over 25 years of experience in Canada, and has been with West Fraser since 2016. Before taking on his current role as Alberta Forest Stewardship Superintendent, Doug worked for West Fraser in planning, land-use and disposition management, and EMS roles within the Sundre Woodlands team. Before joining West Fraser, Doug worked for the Saskatchewan government as their Forest Science Network Coordinator, and has also worked in research and academia in the US and Eastern Canada, and for several years as a forestry consultant in BC. Doug is an RPF in Alberta, and was awarded a Ph.D. from UNB in 2011, an M.Sc. from the University of Idaho in 2004, & a B.Sc. from the University of Central Lancashire in 1995, and is also an Adjunct Professor with UBC Department of Forest Resources Management.
Dr. Mark Poesch is an Associate Professor at the University of Alberta. Dr. Poesch’s main research objectives are to: 1) understand the loss of aquatic biodiversity due to global change, 2) understand dispersal/connectivity of freshwater fish populations, and 3) develop novel approaches for the management of aquatic biodiversity. Mark has published over 100 scientific papers on fish ecology. He has been a member of both the provincial and federal groups that determine candidate listing of freshwater fish species at risk. He is the current President of the Mid-Canada Chapter and past President of the Canadian Aquatic Resources Section (CARS) of the American Fisheries Society, the largest professional fisheries organization in the world. He is an Associate Editor of the Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Science, a leading journal addressing research in fisheries and aquatic ecology.
Abstracts:
Identifying Climate Change Risks & Vulnerabilities (Doug Turner)
Changes in climate are reshaping forest ecosystems and forest management across Canada, affecting the environmental, social and economic benefits forests provide. In response, West Fraser has launched a climate change vulnerability assessment program across forest areas in Alberta where the company holds forest stewardship responsibilities. Using the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers’ climate change vulnerability assessment framework, this multi-phase work assesses climate-related risks, identifies key vulnerabilities and supports the development of practical adaptation actions. This lunch and learn webinar will share key findings from the assessments and highlight priority areas for adapting forest management practices to support climate resilience across West Fraser’s Alberta operations.
Bull Trout Habitat Values in Comparative Watersheds (Mark Poesch)
Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) populations have been declining across Alberta, reflecting pressures on their cold-water habitats. Between 2018 and 2021, Master’s students from the University of Alberta studied six watersheds in the North Saskatchewan and Red Deer River basins, including areas within the Sundre Forest Products Forest Management Unit. They developed a Habitat Suitability Index (HIS) model to understand how stream habitat features and landscape-level factors such as fire history, timber harvest, road or trail use, influence bull trout distribution and productivity. The work also investigated how non-native brook and brown trout influence bull trout populations, highlighting the importance of maintaining cold, structurally complex habitats and considering targeted management strategies to support bull trout conservation. This session will highlight the project approach, share key findings, and discuss how this work can support sustainable forest management and bull trout recovery.