ALBERTA – Suncor Energy reached what it calls a reclamation milestone with the planting of the Nikanotee fen at its base plant north of Fort McMurray. A fen is a type of peat accumulating wetland, common to the region.
Suncor believes it is one of the first companies in the world to attempt reconstruction of a fen. The project has been a co-operative effort between the company and a number of North American university researchers.
The underlying topography for the fen was completed in January 2013, but the vegetation was planted only this spring as the weather warmed up. To celebrate the planting phase, Suncor held an opening ceremony on Aug. 26 that included an aboriginal blessing and remarks from local dignitaries. The event also acknowledged the student, Emma Curtis, who submitted the winning name for the fen. She said she chose the name Nikanotee (pronounced Nee-ga-no-tee) because of its meaning as the Cree word for future.
For more information about Suncor's oil sands operations in Alberta, see Suncor.com.
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