34th Annual Emerald Awards for Environmental Excellence
The Emerald Awards showcase the organizations, projects, and individuals across Alberta working to address environmental challenges and build a more resilient and sustainable future.
Since 1992, the Emerald Awards have showcased nearly 400 recipients and 900 finalists who are raising the bar in addressing environmental challenges. These environmental awards are the only program in Canada to recognize environmental excellence across a diverse range of sectors.
Emerald Award recipients receive:
- A $1,500 grant to further their environmental work.
- A custom trophy, crafted from recycled chopsticks by ChopValue YYC in collaboration with local Calgary restaurants.
- A featured segment in the Emerald Documentary Series highlighting their impactful contributions.
Thank you to our partners, whose support makes the Emerald Awards possible…
Discover the 34th Annual Emerald Award recipients and finalists…
Alberta Capital Airshed Clean Air Strategic Alliance David Kowel ECCO Recycling & Energy Askiy Mat Service Inc Black Sheep Mattress Cochrane Ecological Institute Nature Conservancy of Canada Future Energy Systems The Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools Elements Society Otipemisiwak Metis Government of the Metis Nation within Alberta Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association Kambo Energy Group and Alberta Ecotrust Trade Winds to Success Training Society Trans Mountain Town of Banff and HSS Design Build Calgary Catholic Immigration Society Flat Cap Butchers There are no other finalists in this category. The City of Lethbridge, Communications & Engagement Ten Peaks Innovation Alliance Inc. The North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance Four Winds & Associates Ducks Unlimited Canada University of Alberta’s Sustainability Council Echo Food Rescue Backroads Reclamation Strathcona County & Circular Innovation Council EPCOR Utilities Inc. Bow River Basin Council Alberta Water Council and the Alberta Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley City of Edmonton Justin & Aaron Tan (MFC Games) The Sustainable Development Goals Alliance (The University of Calgary) Strathmore High School Air
Award Recipient
Alberta Capital Airshed – Innovations in Air Quality Public Education
Shortlist
Clean Air Strategic Alliance’s Roadside Optical Vehicle Emissions Reporter (ROVER) III Project: Supporting Management of Emissions from Alberta’s Transportation Sector
David Kowel – 7 Years of Leadership in Active Transportation
Business
Award Recipient
ECCO Recycling & Energy – 33 Years of Environmental Stewardship in Solid Waste & Low Carbon Fuel Development
Shortlist
Oilsands Partner with First Nation Ecopreneur to Reduce Emissions and Water Consumption
Black Sheep Mattress: Hand-Crafting Sustainable Sleep Products for Over a Decade
Community Group or Non-Profit
Award Recipient
A 25 Year Legacy of Environmental Achievements at the Oldman Watershed Council
Shortlist
Cochrane Ecological Institute: Over 60 Years of Wildlife Rehabilitation, Research and Release
NATURE CONSERVANCY OF CANADA: 50+ YEARS OF CONSERVATION IMPACT IN ALBERTA
Education
Award Recipient
Future Energy Systems: Engaging and Exploring Our Energy Future
Shortlist
Come Grow With us Passive Solar Greenhouse Project
Elements Society: Empowering youth to take climate action through food and environmental education with EcoCooks program
Energy
Award Recipient
Salay Prayzaan at Métis Crossing: The Métis Crossing Solar Project
Shortlist
ANFCA Retrofit and Emissions Reductions Project
Home Upgrades Program: Improving the lives of Albertans through fully subsidized energy retrofits
Infrastructure
Award Recipient
Trade Winds to Success: High Efficiency Homes for Indigenous Communities
Shortlist
Trans Mountain Expansion Project – Leading Environmental Protection in Energy Infrastructure
Okâch – Îyethkabi Oûgitûbi: Pioneering Energy Efficiency and Sustainability in Cold Climates at the Banff Community Pavilion
Land
Award Recipient
Burke Creek Ranch: 135 Years of Stewardship and Regenerative Ranching
Shortlist
Land of Dreams: A 30-acre community farm guided by Blackfoot wisdom
Flat Cap Butchers: Connecting Urban Consumers to Regenerative Agriculture
Lifetime Achievement
Award Recipient
Dr. Brad Stelfox: A Legacy of Changing the Way We Think About the Landscape
Shortlist
Public Engagement & Outreach
Award Recipient
Water Wednesday: Engaging Lethbridge’s Community in Practical Water Conservation Solutions
Shortlist
Ten Peaks Innovation Alliance: Connecting Youth to Energy, Climate, and Sustainability
Youth Water Council: Empowering Youth to Build a Resilience Environmental Future
Shared Footprints Award
Award Recipient
Four Winds & Associates – Advancing Sustainability & Energy Efficiency for Indigenous Communities
Shortlist
The Boreal Wetland Centre: A community hub for sharing knowledge on wetland and natural environment stewardship
Adaptation Resilience Training (ART) Program: Preparing Alberta’s Next Climate Leaders
Waste Management
Award Recipient
Echo Food Rescue: Leading the Way in Food Waste Reduction and Feeding Communities
Shortlist
Backroads Reclamation: Transforming Redevelopment Waste into a Sustainable Resource
Scaling Circular Solutions: Circular Innovation Council’s Food Waste Diversion Pilot in Westlock-Strathcona County
Water
Award Recipient
EPCOR’s Glass of the Sask
Shortlist
Bow River Basin Council’s State of the Bow River Watershed Report
Alberta Water Council and the Alberta Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils: Guide for Building Resiliency to Multi-Year Drough
Wildlife & Biodiversity
Award Recipient
Grow with Us – Native Seed and Plant Exchange
Shortlist
The Volunteer Wildlife Ambassador Program: Keeping people and wildlife safe since 2007
Invasive Plant Outreach at the City of Edmonton
Youth
Award Recipient
Justin & Aaron Tan: Inspiring the Next Generation Through Microbial Fuel Cell Games
Shortlist
Student-led Sustainability: The Sustainable Development Goals Alliance
SHS Community Greenhouse: A student-led initiative, from construction to outreach