Join us as we celebrate 35 years of recognizing, uplifting, and showcasing environmental excellence across Alberta!
Not only will you discover the innovative and impactful work building a more sustainable future for our province, but you’ll also connect with environmental leaders across sectors, paving the path for new ways to work together and make a difference.
Biodiversity & Habitat
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The Trans-Canada Highway east of Banff is one of Alberta’s busiest transportation corridors. For decades, it has also acted as a barrier for wildlife in the Bow Valley, fragmenting habitat and leading to frequent animal-vehicle collisions that threaten both wildlife and motorists. Species including elk, moose, deer, grizzly bears, black bears, and lynx rely on…
In Alberta’s Parkland ecoregion, natural habitat is increasingly rare. Only about five percent of the region remains as natural vegetation, and less than one percent is formally protected. At the same time, conservation organizations face limited capacity to steward the lands they work to protect, especially as volunteer engagement has shifted in recent years. The…
Native bees are essential pollinators that support healthy ecosystems and agricultural productivity across Alberta. Yet despite more than 370 native bee species living in the province, nearly two-thirds lack enough data to determine their conservation status. Without reliable information on where species occur and how populations are changing, protecting pollinators and the ecosystems that depend…
Climate Adaptation & Resilience
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Located along the Red Deer River in Alberta’s Badlands, the Town of Drumheller has experienced several major floods over the past century, including eight significant flood events that have threatened homes, infrastructure, and the surrounding landscape. As flood risk increased, the community recognized the need to move beyond emergency response toward a long-term solution that…
As communities grow and climate patterns shift, stormwater management systems must do more than simply move water away. They must help communities adapt to both intense rainfall and periods of drought while protecting surrounding ecosystems. In Calgary’s Alpine Park community, MAGNA Engineering Services Inc., working with Dream Asset Management Corporation, set out to design a…
Cities play a critical role in addressing climate change, as the buildings and transportation systems that support daily life account for the majority of urban greenhouse gas emissions. In Edmonton, these challenges led to a bold vision to transform the former municipal airport lands into a new kind of neighbourhood designed to support sustainable living…
Emerging Solutions
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Plastic waste and infrastructure durability are two growing challenges facing communities around the world. In Canada, only about 9 percent of plastic waste is recycled, and difficult-to-process materials such as agricultural plastics often end up in landfill. At the same time, roads in cold climates face significant wear from extreme temperature fluctuations, leading to cracks,…
Indigenous communities often face barriers to accessing trusted environmental services, while gaps remain in Indigenous representation, local monitoring capacity, and the transfer of knowledge between generations. At the same time, environmental changes are impacting the health of lands, waters, and traditional food systems. Mother Earth Environmental Services is addressing these challenges through a community-based approach…
Emissions Reduction
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Reducing emissions from heavy-duty vehicles is a major challenge for municipalities. In Calgary, more than 1,200 medium and heavy-duty vehicles support essential services such as road maintenance, waste collection, and public safety. Many of these vehicles rely on diesel and must operate reliably in cold weather, making it difficult to transition quickly to zero-emission alternatives….
Adipic acid is a key chemical used to produce Nylon-6,6, a material found in products ranging from clothing and automotive components to electronics and construction materials. However, conventional adipic acid production releases nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas nearly 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide and a major contributor to industrial emissions. OzoneBio is addressing…
Reducing emissions in large industrial operations goes beyond what happens on-site. Many environmental impacts come from everyday services and supply chains that support operations, including processes that use large amounts of water and energy but often go overlooked. Askiy Mat Service Inc., an Indigenous-owned company founded by a member of Mikisew Cree First Nation, is…
Energy
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Heavy-duty vehicles play a critical role in transportation, construction, and industry, but they are also a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. Many fleets rely on diesel equipment with long lifespans, and replacing these vehicles with low-emission alternatives can be costly and slow, creating a barrier to immediate emissions reductions. Diesel Tech Industries is addressing…
For many homeowners and businesses, the cost of energy efficiency upgrades can be a major barrier. Improvements like insulation, solar panels, or heating system upgrades often require significant upfront investment, making them out of reach even when they would save money over time. The Clean Energy Improvement Program, led by Alberta Municipalities, removes this barrier…
For many lower-income households in Alberta, high energy bills are driven by older, inefficient homes that are expensive to heat and maintain. Without the means to make upgrades, energy efficiency upgrades often remain out of reach, leaving many families paying more each month for homes that use more energy than they should. The Home Upgrades…
Green Building
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Cities across Alberta are home to aging buildings that were not designed with energy efficiency or sustainability in mind. Replacing these structures can be costly and carbon-intensive, while leaving them unchanged can limit their usefulness and impact on surrounding communities. The SunRise reimagines what is possible through the transformation of a former office tower in…
Designing energy-efficient buildings in cold climates presents a unique challenge. Long winters, high heating demands, and the need for durable materials can make it difficult to reduce energy use while maintaining comfort, air quality, and accessibility in public spaces. The Okâch – Îyethkabi Oûgitûbi pavilion in Banff addresses this challenge through a high-performance, all-electric design…
As housing demand grows, the way homes are built has a lasting impact on energy use, affordability, and emissions. High-performance features are often treated as upgrades, leaving many homeowners with higher energy costs and homes that are less efficient than they could be. Jayman BUILT is changing this approach by making energy efficiency a standard…
Judge’s Choice Award
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Plastic waste and short-lived building materials are often treated as separate challenges, yet both contribute to growing environmental strain. While large volumes of difficult-to-recycle plastics continue to end up in landfills, traditional construction methods rely on materials that degrade over time, leading to repeated replacement, waste, and increased emissions. Grey is Green has spent decades…
Land Use, Agriculture, or Forestry
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Agriculture plays a significant role in greenhouse gas emissions, while also facing increasing pressure from extreme weather and changing conditions. Finding ways to produce food while protecting the land is critical to long-term sustainability. Researchers at the University of Alberta have spent more than a decade developing and testing practical land management approaches that integrate…
Invasive plants are one of the leading threats to biodiversity, often outcompeting native species and disrupting ecosystems. In Edmonton, managing these species is complex, especially while reducing reliance on chemical pesticides and increasing public awareness of their impact. The City of Edmonton’s Volunteer Weed Pull Program brings community members directly into the solution. Through hands-on…
Invasive plants pose a significant threat to Alberta’s ecosystems, agriculture, and economy, often spreading in areas where traditional control methods are difficult or unsuitable. Maintaining effective, long-term management requires coordination between research, policy, and on-the-ground action. When federal delivery of biological control programs was no longer sustainable, the Alberta Invasive Species Council stepped in to…
Public Education and Outreach
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Interest in native plant gardening and restoration is growing across Alberta, but access to locally appropriate plants and seeds remains a major barrier. Without reliable sources and guidance, planting projects can be delayed, less effective, or rely on species that are not well-suited to local conditions. The Alberta Native Plant Council is addressing this gap…
Composting programs only work when the materials collected from residents are clean and free of non-compostable items. Even small amounts of contamination can affect the quality of compost, harm agricultural use, and lead to valuable organic waste being sent to landfill. After noting a 12-15% green-cart contamination rate in 2015, Strathcona County launched the Gold…
As visitation to the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country continues to grow, so does the risk of human-wildlife conflict. Increased recreation, development, and changing environmental conditions are putting added pressure on wildlife, while many visitors lack the knowledge needed to safely share these spaces. The Volunteer Wildlife Ambassador Program addresses this gap through peer-to-peer education…
Ron Kruhlak Lifetime Achievement Award
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For more than three decades, Doug Kaupp has quietly shaped how water is managed, protected, and valued across southern Alberta. In a region where drought, low river flows, and competing demands place constant pressure on water systems, his work has helped ensure that communities, industries, and ecosystems can continue to rely on a safe and…
Schools
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Many young people are spending less time outdoors, leading to a growing disconnect from the natural world. While educators recognize the value of outdoor learning, barriers like limited time, resources, and confidence can make it difficult to bring students outside in meaningful ways. The Canadian Rockies Outdoor Learning Centre is addressing this through a curriculum-linked…
Many students have a limited understanding of where their food comes from, creating a disconnect from the natural systems that sustain them. Natural Science at W.P. Wagner High School addresses this challenge by reconnecting students to both their food and the environment it depends on. Through hands-on learning in a 5,000 square foot greenhouse, outdoor…
As Normandeau School expanded to serve students from Kindergarten through Grade 8, gaps in hands-on learning emerged, leaving many students without opportunities to explore real-world environmental solutions. The Come Grow With Us Passive Solar Greenhouse was created to address these challenges, offering a living classroom where students engage directly with food production, environmental systems, and…
Waste Management
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As the use of agricultural plastics has increased, many Alberta farmers have been left without accessible recycling options, leading to plastics being burned or buried on-site with harmful environmental impacts. Alberta Ag Plastics: Recycle It! brings together partners across the agricultural value chain to create a coordinated, province-wide recycling system. With 173 collection sites, the…
Asphalt shingles are one of Alberta’s largest and most persistent waste streams, often ending up in landfills due to limited recycling options. This creates long-term environmental challenges while valuable materials go unused. Razphalt is changing that by turning old shingles into a durable road surface. Using a low-energy process, the material is made entirely from…
When disasters like floods and fires strike, speed is critical. In the restoration industry, that urgency has traditionally meant large volumes of mixed debris sent straight to landfill, contributing to a growing waste problem. Complete Care Restoration set out to change that. What began as a pilot project in 2022 has evolved into a company-wide…
Water
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In urban environments, waterways are often overlooked, and Indigenous youth face limited opportunities to lead in freshwater stewardship or reconnect with the lands and waters that have sustained their communities for generations. Beyond the River brings Indigenous youth to the forefront of caring for the North Saskatchewan River and its surrounding ecosystem. Led by First…
Microplastics are an emerging concern in freshwater systems, but until recently, there was little reliable data on how much is present in Alberta’s rivers or how it moves through them. Without clear information, it has been difficult for researchers, communities, and decision-makers to fully understand or respond to this growing issue. NAIT Applied Research set…
Lac La Biche Lake has faced decades of pressure from nutrient buildup, evolving land use, and shoreline disturbance, leading to recurring algal blooms, declining water quality, and impacts on fish habitat and recreation. These challenges highlighted the need for a coordinated, long-term approach to protect the lake and its surrounding watershed. The Watershed Management Plan…
Youth Leadership
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Many children and families in urban communities don’t have easy access to hands-on environmental learning, making it harder to build a connection to nature or understand how everyday actions impact local green spaces. Through Let’s Get Planting!, youth leader Tatiana Meneses-Sab is creating opportunities for children and families to learn by doing. The program brings…
Many young people care about environmental issues but lack access to hands-on learning and real opportunities to take action. Barriers like cost, transportation, and limited exposure to conservation careers can make it difficult for youth to turn that interest into meaningful involvement. The Conservation Champions Club, led by the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, brings together youth…
As environmental challenges grow and experienced professionals retire, there is an increasing need for young people to step into roles that support and protect Alberta’s water systems. At the same time, many youth lack opportunities to connect with their local watershed in meaningful, hands-on ways. The Youth Water Council is addressing this future gap by…
