The novaNAIT Boreal Research Institute in Peace River, Alta. will receive $2.3 million over five years to research the restoration of abandoned conventional oil and gas wells in the boreal forest.

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada grant is the largest research grant in NAIT's history. It extends the Boreal Reclamation Program, which was established in 2008 with the School of Sustainable Building and Environmental Management and brings together faculty, government, industry, First Nations and Métis communities.

"It provides funding to 2015, which enables us to carry out field research and really puts us at the centre of reclamation best practices in the boreal landscape," says Hugh Seaton, manager of the Boreal Research Institute.

Shell Canada, a partner in the project, has committed $520,000 toward the program.