Posts Categorized: Edmonton

Natural Asset Mapping: A strong tool for effective local and regional conservation planning, protection and stewardship

City of Edmonton

unnamedWith the release of the Government of Alberta’s Primary Land and Vegetation Inventory (PLVI) in 2010, over 75% of rural Alberta was described by this and other provincial land-cover inventories. While the project mapped rural parts of the province, densely populated urban areas were simply classified as combinations of residential or industrial development and neglected to recognize municipal natural assets such as stormwater ponds and urban agriculture which provide ...

SPUD.ca: Let’s Not Waste!

SPUD.ca

Emerald2-0002Sustainable Produce Urban Delivery (SPUD) sources and delivers local groceries to their customer’s doorsteps. Since expanding to Alberta in 2005, the company has modelled how a social enterprise can “change the world, one bite at a time”.

Part of SPUD’s commitment to sustainability has been to model how food waste can be minimized in innovative ways. Pre-ordered online purchases mean no in-store displays ...

Riparian Health Action Plan

North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance (NSWA)

NSWA staff photo AGM 2018 copyIn 2016, the NSWA embarked on a 3-phase Riparian Health Action Plan to improve aquatic ecosystem health across the North Saskatchewan River watershed.

The NSWA completed a  study and commissioned the development of a new, modern method to assess riparian condition at the watershed scale. Critically impacted areas have been identified and are being used to prioritize on-ground work. They currently are engaged with municipalities, recognizing the ...

Move the World!

College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving

College HUNKSLeon Kassian, after hearing about the College HUNKS concept from his brother-in-law, made the journey to Tampa, Florida to learn more. The one-stop pickup for junk removal with an eco-friendly twist inspired him to open the first College HUNKS franchise in Canada. Whether they are helping a family downsize, decluttering an office, or removing debris from a construction site, over 80% of all items are recycled or ...

Indigenous Electricity Technical Working Group

700 beaver-lake-cree-solar-panelsThe Indigenous Electricity Technical Working Group (IETWG) was created to explore Indigenous participation in the growing renewable energy industry. The group was a result of the Government of Alberta’s move towards 30% renewable energy by 2030 and a commitment to foster a greater socio-economic capacity for Alberta’s Indigenous Peoples. The IETWG brought together First Nation and Métis leaders, technical experts, the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO), and provincial and ...

Change Homes for Climate: Edmonton’s EnerGuide Residential Labeling Program

City of Edmonton

Team Photo WinnerEdmonton’s residential labeling program helps Edmontonians understand the energy performance of a home and obtain expert advice on how to make it more energy efficient and comfortable. But Edmonton’s program goes beyond the individual home, as the labeling system allows for comparisons between homes so the market can make informed decisions.

The program consists of a home evaluation that includes recommendations on upgrades/renovations (for existing homes) and ...

Land Reclamation International Graduate School

Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences University of Alberta

Emerald2-0003When Dr. Anne Naeth was in the early days of her career in land reclamation, she had a vision. Naeth imagined a graduate school dedicated solely to the study of land reclamation, where students would not only study in an interdisciplinary academic environment, but would be given a chance to connect with experts and learn from real-life reclamation projects. It turned out to be a groundbreaking idea and the ...

Goodwill Edmonton Impact Centre Sustainability Program

Goodwill Edmonton Impact Centre

Photography: Hoopla Media

The Goodwill Impact Centre (GIC) is the first of its kind in Western Canada. The GIC opened its doors in 2017 and illustrates how this non-profit organization is taking its commitment to reusing, repurposing, and recycling to another level. Overlooked treasures from their Edmonton region thrift stores are sent to the GIC outlet, where DIYers, bargainistas, and upcyclers pay by the pound or at discounted prices. In ...

Alberta Community Solar Guide

Kabir Nadkarni

Alberta Community Solar Guide, Kabir NadkarniAs an Engineering and Leadership student at the University of Alberta, Kabir Nadkarni champions renewable energy and conservation education. When part of the City of Edmonton’s Youth Council exploring solar options for City Hall, Nadkarni discovered a knowledge gap among Albertans interested in sharing a partial stake in owning, leasing or using solar electricity through a community project. That pushed the student and Sara Hastings-Simon to co-author the Alberta ...

Creekwatch Citizen Science and Stewardship

RiverWatch Institute of Alberta

Invert Net w GuideHave you ever wondered where rain and snow melt goes beyond the storm drain? Some assume such water is treated and then sent out into the river, but that’s not the case. Now, thanks to CreekWatch, citizen scientists are finding out exactly what pollutants are in these water sources—everything from concrete and plastic to garbage and animal droppings.

A spinoff of the popular RiverWatch program, a student-focused ...