Forestry Talks

Alberta Forest Products Association

Are you curious about sustainability, biodiversity, innovation, partnerships, nature-based climate solutions, and all things forestry? This is the podcast for you. Forestry Talks is a podcast brought to you by the Alberta Forest Products Association. Join host, Aspen Dudzic, as she connects with industry leaders, research specialists and more to learn about some of the incredible work going on in Alberta's forest sector today. Learn more about Alberta's rich forestry community by listening below, and don't forget to follow us on social media (@albertaforests and @loveabforests) to stay engaged all year long!

  1. hace 2 días

    Championing Alberta’s Forest Sector with Minister Todd Loewen

    What does it take to ensure Alberta's forest industry remains strong for generations to come while protecting communities from increasingly challenging wildfires?   In this special episode of Forestry Talks, recorded at the Alberta Forest Products Association's 84th Annual General Meeting & Conference in Jasper, host Aspen Dudzic welcomes back Alberta's Minister of Forestry and Parks, the Honourable Todd Loewen. Reflecting on his time as minister, Loewen discusses how Alberta has adapted its wildfire response after several challenging seasons, including implementing the Community Hazardous Fuels Reduction (CHFR) Program, introducing night-vision-equipped helicopters, and expanding nighttime firefighting operations. He also shares a remarkable firsthand account of witnessing wildfire behaviour near his own home and how that experience helped shape his thinking about wildfire management.   The conversation explores the pressures facing Alberta's forest industry, from international trade uncertainty to the importance of keeping mills operating in rural communities. Minister Loewen also discusses how forest management can help reduce wildfire risk, the opportunities for Canadian wood products in international markets, and why innovation and investment remain essential to the sector's future.  The Alberta Forest Products Association (AFPA) is a non-profit association that has been the voice of the sustainable forest industry in Alberta since 1942. Alberta's forest industry supports over 30,000 jobs and generates $6.9 billion in provincial GDP. Join us as we connect with industry leaders and discuss topics like sustainability, innovation, partnerships, nature-based climate solutions, and more. Don't forget to follow us on social media @albertaforests and @loveabforests to join the conversation.

  2. 29 jul

    A Career Forged in Fire with Dr. Jen Beverly

    Wildfire is becoming one of the defining challenges facing forests across Canada, but what can we actually do to reduce the risk? In this episode of Forestry Talks, host Aspen Dudzic sits down with Dr. Jen Beverly, Associate Professor of Wildland Fire at the University of Alberta and former wildfire firefighter, to explore the science behind wildfire behaviour, forest resilience, and proactive forest management. Drawing on decades of research and front-line experience, Dr. Beverly explains how fuels, weather, and topography influence wildfire behaviour, why forests have changed over time, and how researchers, governments, communities, and industry are working together to better prepare for future fire seasons. If you're interested in forestry, wildfire, climate resilience or how science is helping protect our forests and communities, this episode offers valuable insights into one of Canada's most important natural resource challenges. The Alberta Forest Products Association (AFPA) is a non-profit association that has been the voice of the sustainable forest industry in Alberta since 1942. Alberta's forest industry supports over 30,000 jobs and generates $6.9 billion in provincial GDP. Join us as we connect with industry leaders and discuss topics like sustainability, innovation, partnerships, nature-based climate solutions, and more. Don't forget to follow us on social media @albertaforests and @loveabforests to join the conversation.

  3. 6 may

    Diving into Alberta’s Watershed with Dr. Uldis Silins

    In this episode of Forestry Talks, host Aspen Dudzic sits down with Dr. Uldis Silins, Professor of Forest Hydrology at the University of Alberta, for a fascinating conversation about one of the most important and often underappreciated parts of forest management: water. Dr. Silins shares how Alberta’s forests play a critical role in storing, filtering, and delivering water across the province, and why disturbances like wildfire, harvesting, and recreation can all influence watershed health in very different ways. From mountain headwaters to downstream communities, this episode explores how complex water systems really are and why long-term research matters. Aspen and Dr. Silins also dig into the lasting effects of wildfire on streams, sediment and aquatic ecosystems, the role of best management practices in forestry, and how Alberta’s geology creates very different watershed responses than other regions like Colorado. It’s a thoughtful, science-driven look at how forests, fire, and water are deeply connected in Alberta. The Alberta Forest Products Association (AFPA) is a non-profit association that has been the voice of the sustainable forest industry in Alberta since 1942. Alberta's forest industry supports over 30,000 jobs and generates $6.9 billion in provincial GDP. Join us as we connect with industry leaders and discuss topics like sustainability, innovation, partnerships, nature-based climate solutions, and more. Don't forget to follow us on social media @albertaforests and @loveabforests to join the conversation.

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Are you curious about sustainability, biodiversity, innovation, partnerships, nature-based climate solutions, and all things forestry? This is the podcast for you. Forestry Talks is a podcast brought to you by the Alberta Forest Products Association. Join host, Aspen Dudzic, as she connects with industry leaders, research specialists and more to learn about some of the incredible work going on in Alberta's forest sector today. Learn more about Alberta's rich forestry community by listening below, and don't forget to follow us on social media (@albertaforests and @loveabforests) to stay engaged all year long!