Aleza Lake Research Forest

Aleza Lake Research Forest The Aleza Lake Research Forest is a 9,000 ha forested landscape dedicated to outdoor teaching and research.

It operates as a non-profit society and working forest managed in collaboration with the University of Northern BC (UNBC). About Aleza Lake Research Forest

The Aleza Lake Research Forest is a 9000 ha university-based outdoor research facility and working forest 60 km east of Prince George, BC. The mandate of the Research Forest is to provide research and education facilities and opportunities to the University of Northern BC, and other universities, government agencies, private sector research, schools and other educational groups with regards to ecosystem and resource management studies within the wet sub-boreal spruce biogeoclimatic zone. The research and education programs are multidisciplinary with an emphasis on:
- Partial cut harvest systems
- Biological Diversity
- Climate Change and
- Environmental Monitoring in Small Forest Tenures. The Aleza Lake Research Forest provides a location for field research and education and also facilitates the development, implementation, and evaluation of research and education programs with the user groups. About the Landbase

The Aleza Lake Research Forest (ALRF) is located in central interior British Columbia, approximately 60 kms east of the city of Prince George and is approximately 10,000 hectares in size. The history of the Aleza Lake Research Forest dates back to the Aleza Lake Forest Experiment Station Reserve established by the BC Department of Forests and Lands in 1924. The experiment station reserve area (later referred to as a research forest), survived and evolved through a variety of administrative and forest tenures over many decades, until its formal recognition as BC’s fourth university research forest in 2001. ALRF is co-operatively managed by the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), government agency, and industry partners, through the non-profit Aleza Lake Research Forest Society.

10/06/2026

Forestry is complicated! We’re in the thick of forest and forest tenure management and feel that way. It’s tough to imagine how the general public feels, particularly when there are so many different voices on the topic. Our reliance on forestry as a province has historically been huge, and it seems most families have some connection to the sector. For those who want to know more, or know some stuff but want some clarification, or feel like they’re bogged down in misconceptions/misinformation and want the record set straight, please consider joining a FREE FESBC webinar titled Forestry 101: Understanding BC’s Forests. For more information and to sign up, see the link below:

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_g04P5t9BSOG2rh_aznhtng?utm_source=BenchmarkEmail&utm_campaign=SIP_Newsletter_September_2026&utm_medium=email #/registration

10/05/2026

🌲 Summer student opportunity at the Aleza Lake Research Forest!

We’re hiring Resource Management Summer Students for summer 2027.

This is a hands-on, field-oriented position offering experience in forest inventory, silviculture, research, trail and demonstration-site projects, and educational activities.

If you’re a university or college student interested in natural resources, environmental science, forestry, or a future career in resource management, check out the full posting to learn more.

📅 May 3 – August 27, 2027
📍 Aleza Lake Research Forest / UNBC
🌲 Two positions available

Applications close Friday, October 23, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.

Full details:
https://alrf.unbc.ca/?p=2368

Please share with students who might be interested!

Pumping out the soil pits at the research forest with a pump, zip tie, paracord, machete, and a stick...while also relax...
09/25/2026

Pumping out the soil pits at the research forest with a pump, zip tie, paracord, machete, and a stick...while also relaxing.

09/16/2026

What happens to spruce beetles when temperatures drop? 🪲❄️

Yesterday, we found a spruce beetle under the bark of a spruce tree and it was a cool morning.

A neat trick I learned from Dr Elkin: In cold conditions, spruce beetles become inactive as their metabolism slows. This beetle appeared completely dormant, but I used the warmth of my breath to gently warm it to get it moving again.

Free logs on the Aleza road (0.3km). It is a fresh fallen Spruce from rot at the base and the wood is still wet and heav...
09/10/2026

Free logs on the Aleza road (0.3km). It is a fresh fallen Spruce from rot at the base and the wood is still wet and heavy.

The ALRF Staff would like to thank our Summer 2026 crew, Marliese Veeken and Katharina Wetzig for all their hard work as...
09/08/2026

The ALRF Staff would like to thank our Summer 2026 crew, Marliese Veeken and Katharina Wetzig for all their hard work as Resource Management Summer Students. They helped maintenance the roads and trails, built boardwalks, assist with various research projects, did block recce and layout, remeasured permanent sample plots, harvested birch bark, lots of data entry, archival work, managed the wildlife cameras, and so much more! Also, a thanks to Makayla R for helping us out with various tasks at the research forest with her skills and awesome plant knowledge! The ALRF staff really hope you had a fun and memorable summer! Summer Applicants for 2027 will be posted soon!

09/03/2026

I know they are out there but I saw my first sighting of a skunk in the research forest on Tues! I had to put a lot of effort into not geeking out while recording.

Field School 2026!The ALRF staff had fun teaching about the research forest and Wet Belt Forest Dynamics. There was a lo...
08/31/2026

Field School 2026!

The ALRF staff had fun teaching about the research forest and Wet Belt Forest Dynamics. There was a lot of great discussions and observations from the students. It's also always a blast to see fellow colleagues from the JPRF!

Had a good field day prepping for an upcoming tour at the research forest. We ran into a wasp nest when walking through ...
08/20/2026

Had a good field day prepping for an upcoming tour at the research forest. We ran into a wasp nest when walking through shrubs. Be careful out there when walking together in a row!

Field crew had a very awesome Friday and found a lot of treasures of the forest.
08/09/2026

Field crew had a very awesome Friday and found a lot of treasures of the forest.

Address

3333 University Way
Prince George, BC
V2N4Z9

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