When 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 …
Finding Common Ground: Exploring Energy Options and Opportunities in the Battle River Watershed
The Battle River Watershed Alliance (BRWA) has a focus that extends far beyond just its lakes and rivers. The non-profit develops innovative ways for the public to connect with broader issues that impact their watershed region. In 2017, the BRWA created a government sponsored project with three distinct parts: The Finding Common Ground bike tour, documentary film, and community conversation series.
When …
Brookfield Residential Symons Gate Passive Haus
Brookfield Residential has built one of the greenest houses ever constructed in Alberta. The “Brookfield Residential Passiv Haus” will use 90% less energy than a typical new home constructed today. And this prairie house doesn’t come with a furnace!
The catchphrase commonly used to describe a Passive House (Passiv Haus) is ‘you can heat it with a hairdryer and cool it with an ice cube,’” says Doug …
Goodwill Edmonton Impact Centre Sustainability Program
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 …
Promoting Environmental Sustainablity Through the Crepe and Shake Cafe
In August of 1932, four nuns from the French Roman Catholic congregation “Les Filles de Jesus” (Daughters of Jesus) arrived in Beaumont, Alberta. In 1939, a new convent was built. When the nuns were not serving the Community they would spend their time maintaining their one-acre property: growing fruit and vegetables and looking after fruit trees which are still here today. Although the Religious Sisters of “Les Filles de …
Alberta Community Solar Guide
As 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 …
Environment & Climate Literacy Project
After 40 years serving Calgary communities with a number of environmental programs, Green Calgary has found a new niche as the voice for those just starting their ‘green’ journey. From youth programs in waste, water and energy efficiency to adult efforts on food sustainability and green cleaning, Green Calgary is refocusing its attention on environmental literacy, awareness and action for all Calgarians.
As of Spring 2017, those …
Alberta’s Demonstration Forest Education Network
What better way to learn about forest ecology and sustainability—not to mention feel ownership of Alberta’s environmental landscape–than with a hands-on visit to a real Alberta forest? For the last 20 years, Inside Education has been bringing forest education to life for students with dynamic, full-day curriculum-based programs at five demonstration forest sites across Alberta.
Rustic and real working demonstration forests (of old growth and new, with …
Riel Park Redevelopment Project
A 10-year project to reclaim and revitalize marginal municipal land—the largest project of its kind in St. Albert’s history—has become an opportunity to enhance a former landfill with sports and recreational facilities, protect the Sturgeon River and to put the City’s natural environment pillar of sustainability into action.
Riel Park went from a sewage lagoon cell in the 1950s, to a dry landfill (1970s) to development of …
Creekwatch Citizen Science and Stewardship
Have 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 …