Even before the unprecedented growth of the oil sands industry in this region, it was accepted that an organization like the WBEA was necessary. It didn’t just happen:

• In 1985, Fort McKay First Nation expressed concern about the environment.
• In response, government and industry formed an Air Quality Task Force which described issues, established priorities and recommended on-going dialogue and a consensus based approach to air quality concerns.
• Air Quality Task Force becomes Regional Air Quality Coordinating Committee (RAQCC) prioritized regional air quality concerns and coordinated a program to manage air quality in the region.
• In 1993, the Government of Alberta developed a regional approach to air quality monitoring under the umbrella of the Clean Air Strategic Alliance (CASA).
• In 1997, RAQCC was reformed into the Wood Buffalo Environmental Association (WBEA).
• The Clean Air Strategic Alliance formally endorsed the WBEA Monitoring Program in 1996. In 1997, the WBEA assumed responsibility for ownership and operation of a regional consolidated air quality monitoring network in the region.
• Capital costs provided originally by Suncor Energy and Syncrude Canada Limited.
• Alberta Environment provided equipment on a long term basis, as well as expertise and in-kind contributions.
• In 1999, WBEA included an ecological monitoring program, Terrestrial Environmental Effects Monitoring (TEEM).
• In 2005, WBEA included the ongoing Human Exposure Monitoring Program (HEMP).
• Membership, funding and in-kind contributions have continued to increase with the increase in industry activity.