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Indigenous Affairs | Environment

Sandy Lake rewilding: A collaborative effort for a sustainable future

Mon, 28 Jul 2025
Pembina is proud to be partnering with Project Forest and Sturgeon County on an exciting new initiative focused on rewilding the Sandy Lake Wilderness Area, a piece of Environmental Reserve land located in Sturgeon County, a municipal district near Edmonton, adjacent to Alexander First Nation. This project aims to restore vital natural habitats while fostering meaningful relationships with local and Indigenous communities. 

With 42,000 trees planted in six forests (and a seventh forest project underway), Pembina and Project Forest, a non-profit organization focused on rewilding local landscapes to capture carbon naturally, have formed a partnership that is creating stronger communities and contributing to a sustainable future.  

In 2024, Pembina extended this partnership for three more years with a $1.5 million investment, and together we are working to expand Project Forest’s reach and impact through meaningful rewilding efforts.  

Pembina’s approach to community investment is guided by engagement with our neighbours. Through early, meaningful, and ongoing engagement, we can better understand needs and social issues and then identify how partnerships and social investments – financial or otherwise – can help. Recently, Pembina utilized this approach to connect Project Forest with Sturgeon County so that together, the three organizations could collaborate on a rewilding project at the Sandy Lake Wilderness Area.  

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Community Investment at Pembina

We strive to have communities welcome us as a safe and responsible partner whose positive social impact creates significant value for all our stakeholders. We proudly participate in local events, engage with communities, and give back through Pembina’s Community Investment program.

Pembina partners with local, provincial/state, and national non-profit and charitable organizations that support Indigenous and Tribal communities, promote safety, equity and inclusion, and encourage a sustainable energy future.

To learn more about our Community Investment program, visit our Community Engagement page.

Sandy Lake is a piece of Environmental Reserve land located in Sturgeon County, a municipal district near Edmonton, adjacent to Alexander First Nation. Sturgeon County was actively developing the Sandy Lake Wilderness Area Concept and Natural Management Plan when Pembina reached out in search of a suitable site for a rewilding project with Project Forest. This created a unique opportunity to integrate a funded, large-scale ecological restoration initiative into the early planning stages of the County’s long-term vision for Sandy Lake.  


An important part of this project is working in partnership with Alexander First Nation. With every initiative, Project Forest takes the time to learn what ecological reconciliation means to Indigenous communities in the area, such as understanding what plants are culturally and medicinally meaningful to support community health and well-being. For Sandy Lake, Sturgeon County Council and Project Forest will collaborate with Alexander First Nation to understand traditional land uses, cultural practices, and identify any ceremonial or sacred sites within the area. This knowledge will guide project planning to ensure Indigenous knowledge and cultural values are integrated in every aspect of the planting process.   

The Sandy Lake Wilderness Area rewilding project plan includes planting over 45,000 trees across 22 hectares of land. It is an incredible example of the power of partnership and the importance of intentional engagement to create meaningful change in our communities. This collaboration aims to support the preservation and restoration of vital natural space, strengthen connections with the County and Alexander First Nation and promote environmental stewardship for future generations. 


Photo courtesy of Sturgeon County

Photo courtesy of Sturgeon County

You can visit the Project Forest website to learn more about their open projects and click here to read more about Pembina’s partnership with Project Forest.