Oil sands major Suncor Energy has reached what it describes as “another milestone in its reclamation efforts” with the planting of a fen-type wetland at the company’s base plant north of Fort McMurray, Alberta. A fen is a specific type of peat-accumulating wetland, common in the region. Suncor says is one of the first companies in the world to attempt the reconstruction of this type of wetland, and has been doing so in cooperation with a number of university researchers from across North America.

“I want to acknowledge the many people and organisations working together on this journey; they have played a vital part in helping us get to where we are today,” said Mark Little, Executive Vice-President, Oil Sands and In Situ. “I also look forward to continued collaboration on this great project, as we are deeply committed to returning land to a natural state for future generations. Looking ahead, I expect we and others in the industry will continue learning as we share the knowledge gained so far, and as we progress together through the Nikanotee Fen’s monitoring phase.” Construction of the fen’s underlying watershed was completed in January 2013, setting the stage for planting vegetation this spring and summer.

To celebrate the planting phase, Suncor held an opening ceremony, which included an Aboriginal blessing and remarks from local dignitaries including Mayor Melissa Blake and the Honourable Don Scott, MLA for Fort McMurray-Conklin. The event also acknowledged the student who won a contest earlier this year to name the fen. Emma Curtis, who recently completed grade four at St Martha’s School in Fort McMurray, chose the name Nikanotee (pronounced Nee-ga-no-tee) because of its meaning as the Cree word for future.