The Alberta Institute of Agrologists

Members who are involved in environmental, agricultural work and reclamation certificates

Delineating contamination environmental site assessment. Photo by Kira Gerrow, PAg
The Alberta Institute of Agrologists (AIA) is a professional regulatory body within Alberta that has an agreement with the Alberta government to formally regulate its members’ activities. Increasingly gaining recognition and exposure among employers, governing bodies and the public, agrology is a rapidly growing and ever-expanding profession addressing critical issues around agriculture production and environmental health and quality. 

Over its 71-year history, AIA members have been instrumental in developing guidelines, policies, regulations and activities for reclamation and remediation of pipelines and oil and gas sites throughout Alberta. Agrology professionals ensure the quality and sustainability of our natural environment is maintained by designing appropriate land capability systems for agricultural and forested land, and tools and techniques for reclaiming land to equivalent capability.

The Alberta Institute of Agrologists

Members who are involved in environmental, agricultural work and reclamation certificates

The Alberta Institute of Agrologists (AIA) is a professional regulatory body within Alberta that has an agreement with the Alberta government to formally regulate its members’ activities. Increasingly gaining recognition and exposure among employers, governing bodies and the public, agrology is a rapidly growing and ever-expanding profession addressing critical issues around agriculture production and environmental health and quality. 

Over its 71-year history, AIA members have been instrumental in developing guidelines, policies, regulations and activities for reclamation and remediation of pipelines and oil and gas sites throughout Alberta. Agrology professionals ensure the quality and sustainability of our natural environment is maintained by designing appropriate land capability systems for agricultural and forested land, and tools and techniques for reclaiming land to equivalent capability.
Delineating contamination environmental site assessment. Photo by Kira Gerrow, PAg
Soil sampling crew. Photo by Diana Dabrowa, AIT
In the early 2000s, agrologists across Alberta began deliberations to modify the original legislative Agrology Act. Their discussions recognized the environmental aspect of agrology and the importance of reclamation and remediation to member practitioners. In 2007 the Agrology Profession Act and its associated Agrology Profession Regulation formally ensconced reclamation and remediation of soils, land and water systems within the definition of agrology. This Act provides the legal right and responsibility for all regulated members to “practice agrology” in Alberta.
Reflecting the Act’s definition of agrology, practice areas enable AIA members to classify their practice into unique functional areas. Each practice area requires specialized knowledge, skills and experience. To ensure the Alberta public is protected, several of these practice areas are further defined by standards that outline knowledge, experience, skill sets and performance standards required for professional practice.
Today, these professionals work ethically in all aspects of remediation and reclamation, including academia, government and private industry. Academic instructors teach future AIA professionals the methods and technologies available to sustainably reclaim the landscape; government regulators develop new policies and review certificate applications; and private industry employees are on the ground assessing and reclaiming the environment and providing advice. Alberta Institute of Agrologist members are one of the seven professions in Alberta allowed to sign off on upstream oil and gas reclamation and remediation work. 
Sampling foxtail barley, wet meadow. Photo by Chelsea Tomcala, PAg
AIA agrology professionals extended their involvement in regulatory standards development as one of the 10 professions to work with Alberta Environment and Parks to develop the Wetland Science Practice Standard. 
The demand for educated, competent and regulated agrologists continues to grow and AIA is leading the way. 
Canadian Land Reclamation Association Fall Tour 2014. Photo by Neil MacAlpine, PAg