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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.

This year’s shortlist, chosen by our third-party panel of judges from a record-breaking 72 nominations, represents a broad spectrum of environmental achievements, including:

  • Nominations from large organizations, small businesses, grassroots organizations, and non-profits—showcasing the Emerald Awards’ unique intersectionality across 14 categories
  • 14 municipalities across Alberta, demonstrating a province-wide commitment to sustainability
  • An increase in rural and Indigenous-led initiatives, highlighting diverse environmental leadership

The Award Ceremony

Immerse yourself in a night of environmental celebration! Join us in honouring organizations, projects, and individuals who exemplify environmental excellence across Alberta.

When: Thursday, June 5th (Doors – 5:30 PM, Ceremony – 6:30 PM, Reception – 8:30 PM)

Where: Main stage, Timms Centre for the Arts, University of Alberta, Edmonton

Get your tickets!

Thank you to our partners, whose support makes the Emerald Awards possible…

Platinum Partners
Gold Partners
City of Calgary Logo
Silver Partners

Discover the environmental leaders recognized through this year’s shortlist!

Air

Shortlist

Clean Air Strategic Alliance’s Roadside Optical Vehicle Emissions Reporter (ROVER) III Project: Supporting Management of Emissions from Alberta’s Transportation Sector

Clean Air Strategic Alliance

Air pollution from Alberta’s transportation sector is a growing concern, impacting both environmental and public health. The Clean Air Strategic Alliance (CASA) launched the Roadside Optical Vehicle Emissions Reporter (ROVER) III Project to tackle this issue by gathering critical data on vehicle emissions across the province. This innovative initiative used remote sensing technology to measure…

Alberta Capital Airshed – Innovations in Air Quality Public Education

Alberta Capital Airshed

As air quality challenges in Alberta grow, the Alberta Capital Airshed (ACA) is leading the way in public education and community engagement. The Innovations in Air Quality Public Education project goes beyond traditional air monitoring, equipping Albertans with the knowledge they need to protect their health and make informed environmental decisions. With wildfires and other…

David Kowel – 7 Years of Leadership in Active Transportation

David Kowel

For seven years, David Kowel has been a driving force in making Calgary’s streets safer, more sustainable, and more accessible for all. Through his work with Sustainable Calgary, Bike Calgary, and other organizations, David has led innovative projects that promote active transportation—helping shift the city toward lower-emission, people-first mobility options. David’s leadership has been instrumental…

Business

Shortlist

Oilsands Partner with First Nation Ecopreneur to Reduce Emissions and Water

Askiy Mat Service Inc

Through innovation and collaboration, Askiy Mat Service Inc., led by Sandy Sanderson of the Mikisew Cree First Nation, is transforming sustainability in Alberta’s oilsands industry. This groundbreaking partnership integrates Indigenous leadership with cutting-edge environmental solutions, proving that economic growth and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand. Askiy Mat Service has introduced a new mat-washing…

Black Sheep Mattress: Hand-Crafting Sustainable Sleep Products for Over a Decade

Black Sheep Mattress

Founded on the belief that better materials create better sleep and a healthier planet, Calgary-based Black Sheep Mattress builds custom, chemical-free mattresses using responsibly sourced wool, cotton, and natural Talalay latex—offering an alternative to mass-produced, synthetic mattresses that contribute to landfill waste. Each year, six million mattresses end up in Canadian landfills. Black Sheep Mattress…

ECCO Recycling & Energy – 33 Years of Environmental Stewardship in Solid Waste & Low Carbon Fuel Development

ECCO Recycling & Energy

For over three decades, ECCO Recycling & Energy has been a leader in waste diversion and sustainable fuel innovation, transforming Alberta’s approach to solid waste management. Through advanced recycling technologies and the development of Low Carbon Fuel (LCF), ECCO is significantly reducing landfill waste and greenhouse gas emissions while supporting a circular economy. Each year,…

Community Group or Non-Profit

Shortlist

A 25 Year Legacy of Environmental Achievements at the Oldman Watershed Council

For 25 years, the Oldman Watershed Council (OWC) has been at the forefront of watershed protection, restoration, and education in southwestern Alberta. As a collaborative, multi-stakeholder organization, OWC brings together Indigenous leaders, government representatives, conservationists, and various other stakeholders to ensure a resilient and thriving watershed for future generations. With a science-based approach, OWC has…

Cochrane Ecological Institute: Over 60 Years of Wildlife Rehabilitation, Research and Release

Cochrane Ecological Institute

For over six decades, the Cochrane Ecological Institute (CEI) has been a leader in wildlife rehabilitation, species reintroduction, and conservation education in Alberta. Dedicated to preserving biodiversity, CEI has rescued, rehabilitated, and released over 10,000 injured and orphaned wildlife species, ensuring they return to their natural habitats and continue playing a vital role in local…

Nature Conservancy of Canada

For over 50 years, the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) has led private land conservation efforts in Alberta, securing and stewarding 468,000 hectares of ecologically significant land. As the country’s leading national land conservation organization, NCC partners with ranchers, Indigenous communities, landowners, and governments to protect and restore Alberta’s wildlife corridors, grasslands, forests, and wetlands—ensuring…

Education

Shortlist

Future Energy Systems: Engaging and Exploring Our Energy Future

Future Energy Systems

As the world transitions to low-carbon energy solutions, Future Energy Systems (FES) at the University of Alberta is leading the way by advancing research, educating the public, and training the next generation of energy leaders. Funded by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund, FES supports over 160 research projects that explore renewable energy, energy storage,…

Come Grow With us Passive Solar Greenhouse Project

The Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools

The Come Grow With Us Passive Solar Greenhouse Project is transforming education in Red Deer by giving students hands-on experience in sustainable food production, energy-efficient building design, and environmental stewardship. Led by The Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools, this living classroom integrates STEM learning with real-world skills, preparing students to tackle climate change and…

Elements Society: empowering youth to take climate action through food and environmental education with EcoCooks program

Elements Society

The Elements Society is shaping the next generation of climate-conscious leaders through EcoCooks, an innovative food and environmental education program that teaches youth how their food choices impact the planet. By integrating hands-on cooking workshops with climate action education, EcoCooks provides students with practical skills to reduce food waste, make sustainable food choices, and understand…

Energy

Shortlist

ANFCA Retrofit and Emissions Reductions Project

Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association

The Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association (ANFCA) is leading the way in climate action and energy efficiency through its Retrofit and Emissions Reductions Project. This initiative strengthens urban Indigenous communities by upgrading Friendship Centres with sustainable building retrofits, energy efficiency training, and Indigenous knowledge integration—creating healthier, more efficient spaces that serve thousands of people across…

Home Upgrades Program: Improving the lives of Albertans through fully subsidized energy retrofits

Kambo Energy Group and Alberta Ecotrust

The Home Upgrades Program (HUP) is Alberta’s first fully subsidized energy retrofit initiative, ensuring that lower-income households can access energy-efficient home upgrades without financial barriers. A collaboration between Kambo Energy Group and Alberta Ecotrust, this program is tackling energy poverty, helping families reduce their energy bills, improve home comfort, and cut carbon emissions. Since its…

Salay Prayzaan at Métis Crossing: The Métis Crossing Solar Project

Otipemisiwak Metis Government of the Metis Nation within Alberta

The Salay Prayzaan Solar Project at Métis Crossing is a groundbreaking 4.86 MW community solar initiative, demonstrating how Indigenous leadership, environmental stewardship, and clean energy innovation can come together to build a more sustainable future. Developed by the Otipemisiwak Métis Government in partnership with Smoky Lake County and the Town of Smoky Lake, this project…

Infrastructure

Shortlist

Trans Mountain Expansion Project – Leading Environmental Protection in Energy Infrastructure

Trans Mountain

The Trans Mountain Expansion Project (TMEP) has set a new standard for environmental stewardship and education in energy infrastructure through its Environmental Protection Rules (EPRs). Designed to minimize environmental impacts, these 10 industry-leading rules ensure ecosystem preservation, wildlife protection, and cultural heritage conservation while engaging 35,000+ workers in environmental training. During construction, TMEP successfully: The…

Trade Winds to Success: High Efficiency Homes for Indigenous Communities

Trade Winds to Success Training Society

Through its High-Efficiency Homes for Indigenous Communities initiative, Trade Winds to Success is transforming lives by providing Indigenous students with hands-on construction training while building energy-efficient homes for communities in need. This Indigenous-led non-profit is tackling both the housing crisis and employment barriers by equipping students with real-world skills in sustainable construction, setting them on…

Okâch – Îyethkabi Oûgitûbi: Pioneering Energy Efficiency and Sustainability in Cold Climates at the Banff Community Pavilion

Town of Banff and HSS Design Build

The Okâch – Îyethkabi Oûgitûbi Pavilion in Banff National Park is setting a new benchmark for sustainable, energy-efficient, and accessible infrastructure in cold climates. Designed in collaboration with HSS Design Build and the Town of Banff, this low-carbon, high-performance facility demonstrates how public spaces can enhance community well-being while minimizing environmental impact. This state-of-the-art pavilion…

Land

Shortlist

Land of Dreams: A 30-acre community farm guided by Blackfoot wisdom

Calgary Catholic Immigration Society

Land of Dreams is a 30-acre community farm in Calgary that serves as a sanctuary for connection, healing, and environmental restoration. Rooted in Blackfoot wisdom and guided by Elder Herman Many Guns, the farm brings together newcomers, Indigenous communities, and diverse cultural groups to cultivate food, restore the land, and strengthen relationships between people and…

Flat Cap Butchers: Connecting Urban Consumers to Regenerative Agriculture

Flat Cap Butchers

Flat Cap Butchers is redefining how urban consumers engage with their food by bridging the gap between ethical meat consumption and regenerative farming. Operating out of the Calgary Farmers’ Market, this whole-animal butcher shop is committed to supplying exclusively regeneratively raised beef, ensuring that every purchase supports soil health, biodiversity, and sustainable agricultural practices. Unlike…

Burke Creek Ranch: 135 Years of Stewardship and Regenerative Ranching

For over a century, Burke Creek Ranch has been a dedicated steward of Alberta’s native grasslands, preserving one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world. By practicing regenerative grazing, the ranch not only produces sustainably raised beef but also actively sequesters carbon, restores soil health, and protects critical wildlife habitats. This commitment to conservation…

Lifetime Achievement

Award Recipient

Dr. Brad Stelfox: A Legacy of Changing the Way We Think About the Landscape

For more than 35 years, Dr. Brad Stelfox has been a driving force in reshaping how Albertans and the world understand the cumulative effects of land use. A scientist, educator, and thought leader, Dr. Stelfox has dedicated his career to helping policymakers, industry leaders, and communities make informed decisions about environmental sustainability. His groundbreaking work…

Shortlist

There are no other finalists in this category.

Shared Footprints Award

Shortlist

The Boreal Wetland Centre: A community hub for sharing knowledge on wetland and natural environment stewardship

Ducks Unlimited Canada

The Boreal Wetland Centre (BWC) is Canada’s first hands-on facility dedicated to wetland conservation, research, and education, serving as a unique gathering space for industry professionals, educators, Indigenous communities, and the public. Located in the County of Grande Prairie in Treaty 8 Territory, the BWC provides an inclusive, collaborative environment to develop innovative solutions for…

Adaptation Resilience Training (ART) Program: Preparing Alberta’s Next Climate Leaders

University of Alberta’s Sustainability Council, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas

The Adaptation Resilience Training (ART) Program is shaping Alberta’s future by equipping students and recent graduates with hands-on experience in climate adaptation and resilience. A collaboration between the University of Alberta’s Sustainability Council and Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, ART connects young professionals with municipalities, Indigenous communities, non-profits, and academic institutions, helping them tackle real-world…

Four Winds & Associates – Advancing Sustainability & Energy Efficiency for Indigenous Communities

Four Winds & Associates

The Deep Retrofit Accelerator Initiative (DRAI), led by Four Winds & Associates, is empowering Indigenous communities across Alberta by providing no-cost energy audits, custom engineering support, and retrofit planning to improve the efficiency and sustainability of community infrastructure & facilities. By breaking down financial and technical barriers, the initiative ensures equitable access to energy-saving solutions…

Waste Management

Shortlist

Backroads Reclamation: Transforming Redevelopment Waste into a Sustainable Resource

Backroads Reclamation

Backroads Reclamation is redefining waste management by diverting construction and demolition wood waste from landfills and repurposing it into high-value, second-use wood products. With a vision to lead Canada’s transition to a circular economy, the company is building a scalable and sustainable supply chain for reclaimed wood, ensuring that materials from Canada’s first-generation structures are…

Scaling Circular Solutions: Strathcona County & Circular Innovation Council’s Food Waste Diversion Pilot

Strathcona County & Circular Innovation Council’

The Commercial Food Waste Diversion Pilot, a partnership between Strathcona County and the Circular Innovation Council, is transforming how small businesses manage food waste by making organic waste diversion more accessible, cost-effective, and data-driven. Designed to close the loop on food waste, the program reduces greenhouse gas emissions, supports regenerative agriculture, and informs future municipal…

Echo Food Rescue: Leading the Way in Food Waste Reduction and Feeding Communities

Echo Food Rescue

Echo Food Rescue is tackling food waste and food insecurity head-on by rescuing surplus food from local businesses and redistributing it to individuals and families in need. Based in Lacombe, Alberta, the initiative ensures that food that would otherwise be discarded is redirected to nourish the community, reducing environmental impact while fostering sustainability and social…

Water

Shortlist

Bow River Basin Council’s State of the Bow River Watershed Report

Bow River Basin Council

The Bow River Basin Council’s State of the Bow River Watershed Report is a groundbreaking data-driven tool designed to guide sustainable water management and environmental stewardship across the Bow River Basin. This interactive, living document provides accessible, up-to-date insights into the health of the watershed, equipping communities, policymakers, and researchers with the knowledge needed to…

Alberta Water Council and the Alberta Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils: Guide for Building Resiliency to Multi-Year Drough

Alberta Water Council and the Alberta Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils

As Alberta faces increasingly severe and prolonged droughts, the Alberta Water Council (AWC) and Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils (WPACs) have developed a comprehensive guide and workshop series to help municipalities prepare for, mitigate, and recover from multi-year drought events. By equipping communities with knowledge, tools, and strategies, this initiative is ensuring Alberta’s water resources…

EPCOR’s Glass of the Sask

EPCOR Utilities Inc.

EPCOR’s Glass of the Sask is a multi-year public engagement initiative that raises awareness and fosters pride in the North Saskatchewan River (NSR) as Edmonton’s drinking water source. Through strategic collaborations with restaurants, festivals, and community events, the campaign encourages environmental stewardship, water conservation, and the use of reusable water bottles, all while highlighting EPCOR’s…

Wildlife & Biodiversity

Shortlist

Grow with Us – Native Seed and Plant Exchange

Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society

The Grow with Us – Native Seed and Plant Exchange program, led by the Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society, is creating a sustainable and community-driven approach to grassland restoration in Calgary. By rescuing native plants from development sites and redistributing them to community members, schools, and gardens, this initiative ensures that locally adapted…

The Volunteer Wildlife Ambassador Program: Keeping people and wildlife safe since 2007

Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley

For nearly two decades, the Volunteer Wildlife Ambassador Program, led by the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley, has played a crucial role in promoting human-wildlife coexistence in one of Alberta’s busiest outdoor recreation regions. With over 5 million visitors annually to the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country, the need for on-the-ground education and outreach…

Invasive Plant Outreach at the City of Edmonton

City of Edmonton

The Invasive Plant Outreach (IPO) program is a community-driven initiative led by the City of Edmonton to combat invasive plant species, protect biodiversity, and promote native ecosystems. Through education, volunteer engagement, and hands-on management, the program empowers Edmontonians to take an active role in preventing the spread of invasive species and restoring natural habitats. In…

Youth

Shortlist

Student-led Sustainability: The Sustainable Development Goals Alliance

The Sustainable Development Goals Alliance (The University of Calgary)

The Sustainable Development Goals Alliance (SDGA) is a student-founded, student-led organization at the University of Calgary, dedicated to advancing the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through community-focused initiatives. By empowering youth leaders, fostering collaboration, and providing hands-on sustainability training, SDGA is preparing the next generation of climate-conscious changemakers. Since its founding in 2017, SDGA…

Justin & Aaron Tan: Inspiring the Next Generation Through Microbial Fuel Cell Games

Justin & Aaron Tan (MFC Games)

High school innovators Justin Tan and Aaron Tan are reshaping environmental education with their Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) Games, an interactive program that teaches students how to generate electricity using the microbes in garden soil. By combining scientific discovery, hands-on experimentation, and renewable energy education, their initiative is inspiring youth to tackle climate change with…

SHS Community Greenhouse: A student-led initiative, from construction to outreach

Strathmore High School

The Strathmore High School (SHS) Community Greenhouse is a student-led, off-grid sustainability hub that is transforming education, food security, and environmental stewardship in Strathmore. Built and managed entirely by students, this free-to-use community space fosters mentorship, hands-on learning, and real-world sustainability practices—empowering youth to take climate action into their own hands. Since its construction, the…