The primary objective was to investigate pine marten habitat use across a managed forest landscape with a range of stand ages and forest types. This three-year research project (Dec 2023–Dec 2025), funded by the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta (FRIAA), was a collaborative effort between:
- Vanderwell Contractors
- Alberta Trappers Association — Slave Lake Local 1190 (through Registered Fur Management Area holders)
- fRI Research
Local trappers were co-investigators who helped develop research questions and served as field technicians conducting monthly camera maintenance and data collection. The habitat‑based study design called for 90 motion‑activated trail cameras (18 per trapline) across five spatially distinct Registered Fur Management Areas. The cameras produced a total of 3,265 camera‑trap nights. The trappers checked SD cards and maintained scent lures monthly, and brought the images to Slave Lake to be processed and entered into a project database.
This QuickNote contains key findings, implications, and potential next steps.
