Emerald Documentary Series – Season 4

Every year at the Emerald Awards, we get to meet inspiring people from across Alberta who are doing great things for our environment, and we want more people to know about their important work! That’s why our Emerald Documentary Series exists.

In Season Four of the Doc Series, you’ll learn more about the 31st Annual Emerald Award recipients, including their environmental work, why it’s so important and how it impacts our lives.

We hope that by sharing these videos with you, you’ll discover environmental-good news stories that you never knew existed in our province and be inspired to take action in your own life!

Canada’s first zero-waste, zero-export thrift store

Blenderz garment recyclers – 31st annual Emerald Award recipient, waste management category SPONSORED BY ALBERTA RECYCLING MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY

Blenderz Garment Recyclers is a thrift store in Edmonton, Alberta that reclaims and recycles textiles that are deemed unsellable by thrift stores, charities, the general public, and businesses. Blenderz uses a zero-waste, no-landfill approach through a mixture of solutions that keep these textiles from the traditionally linear supply chain stream and recycles them in a closed-loop system.

In nine months Blenderz reclaimed and upcycled, 81.35 tons of textile waste from the local export and waste streams. Most of the material has been upgraded in value and re-entered the local textile and garment supply chain further reducing the consumption of new fabrics for other small businesses. The volume of landfill avoided is 32,138.27 cubic yards which is equal to 9.8 Olympic size swimming pools.

Taking climate action in Canmore through winter cycling

Bike all winter program, canmore community cruisers – 31st annual Emerald Award recipient, air category

The Canmore Community Cruisers are tackling climate change on a local level through their Bike All Winter Program. First, participants receive training on winter bike riding, then they get assistance and supplies to winterize their bike (e.g. studded tires, fenders, lights), and finally, they’re paired with a Bike All Winter Mentor! Participants agree to ride their bike twice a week or more from November to March; post about winter riding at least once per week on social media; complete participant pre-and post-surveys; and participate in photo and video events. In 2021 the Bike All Winter program had 85 participants and was able to avoid an estimated 6.5 tonnes of Green House Gas Emissions!

Using excess urban land to build community, grow food, and take climate action

Edmonton urban farm – 31st annual Emerald Award recipient, land category SPONSORED BY ALBERTA REAL ESTATE FOUNDATION

Since 2014, the Edmonton Urban Farm (EUF) has helped make Edmonton a greener, more sustainable city. It has transformed 2 acres of excess urban land (abandoned, strewn with garbage and invasive weeds) into a productive space providing 300-plus people and their families with nutritious, locally grown food. This reduces the city’s carbon footprint AND it serves as a model for other municipalities.

Studying plants to protect our food security

plant biodiversity lab, university of calgary – 31st annual Emerald Award recipient, wildlife & biodiversity category SPONSORED BY ALBERTA FOREST PRODUCTS ASSOCIATION

The Plant Biodiversity lab at the University of Calgary has been operating with the mission to prevent the extinction of plants in Canada by identifying and maintaining resilient ecosystems that foster their persistence for 15 years.

In Canada, there are more than 650 plant species at some level of risk of extinction. Determining the level of risk for each species is a time-consuming endeavour. The vision of this research program is to develop a system of prediction of extinction risk so that effort is directed to species deserving the most immediate attention.

The Plant Biodiversity Lab lab pinpoints important traits involved in improving the reproductive health of plant species, such as those involved in pollination and adaptability to climate change and works on a number of crop wild relatives to improve our ability to combat food insecurity.

Healing and transforming through meaningful work

newo global energy – 31st annual Emerald Award recipient, community group or non-profit category, sponsored by syncrude, operated by suncor

Newo is a non-profit social enterprise exploring ways to share abundance (Wêyôtan) through harmonious relationships (Wahkohtowin).

Their services include solar-PV design and installation, energy audits and educational workshops. They are also piloting initiatives ranging from Indigenous food-security projects, pay-it-forward financing models, and supporting Indigenous sharing circles.

How youth are improving climate education and action in Alberta

alberta youth leaders for environmental education – 31st annual Emerald Award recipient, youth category sponsored by capital power

The Alberta Youth Leaders for Environmental Education (AYLEE), play an important role in shaping the future of climate education in Alberta. AYLEE provides members with opportunities to connect with like-minded youth; learn about the environment and climate change; collaborate on projects that advance climate action and climate education, and take action within their schools to help build a more sustainable future.

25 years of creative solutions to environmental issues at the M.D. of Ranchland No. 66

M.D. of Ranchland No. 66 – 31st annual Emerald Award recipient, government category

Nestled away in the foothills and the Rocky Mountains, the M.D. is home to countless watersheds, rangelands, forests, and wildlife, and has made it a top priority to take care of them.

For 25 years, Ranchland has consistently implemented creative solutions to environmental issues. The M.D. has gone above and beyond to promote activities that are sustainable and compatible with the environment and the species and habitats we share the landscape with. The municipality particularly endeavours to protect and enhance the headwaters of the Oldman River and South Saskatchewan River Basin.

How WILD Outside is helping youth grow their conservation ethic

wild outside – 31st annual Emerald Award recipient, Public engagement & outreach category SPONSORED BY CITY OF CALGARY

WILD Outside is a national conservation-based youth leadership program designed for youth ages 15 to 18. The program is open to all regardless of physical, economic or any other barriers; this is a no-cost program with free enrolment that encourages youth of all levels of capability to join.

By participating in this unique and flexible program, youth across Canada experience opportunities for personal growth while developing and encouraging their own “conservation ethic.” Learning alongside their peers from our CWF facilitators and community partners, youth in the WILD Outside program enjoy opportunities for outdoor adventure and immersive nature experiences. They also connect with other local partners in the planning and delivery of community-based conservation service projects in their own community designed to have a positive impact on their local environment.

The journey to installing solar on 1 million homes by 2040

zeno renewables – 31st annual Emerald Award recipient, business category, sponsored by the edmonton community foundation

Nestled away in the foothills and the Rocky Mountains, the M.D. is home to countless watersheds, rangelands, forests, and wildlife, and has made it a top priority to take care of them.

For 25 years, Ranchland has consistently implemented creative solutions to environmental issues. The M.D. has gone above and beyond to promote activities that are sustainable and compatible with the environment and the species and habitats we share the landscape with. The municipality particularly endeavours to protect and enhance the headwaters of the Oldman River and South Saskatchewan River Basin.

30 years of supporting teachers and inspiring students in environmental education – Steve McIsaac

steve mcisaac – 31st annual Emerald Award recipient, lifetime achievement award SPONSORED BY DOW 

Steve’s career began in 1992 as the first full-time educator at Inside Education (then FEESA). With his background as a social studies teacher, Steve ensures a balanced approach to exploring environmental issues and sustainability. The legacy, consistency, and opportunities that Inside Education provides as an organization are directly attributed to Steve’s leadership.

How you can help conserve and improve riparian health for a better tomorrow

riparian web portal – 31st annual Emerald Award recipient, water category SPONSORED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA

The Riparian Web Portal is an exciting new project created by Alberta’s watershed community. Officially launched in 2021, this online space is designed to encourage Albertans to conserve and improve riparian health today for a better tomorrow.

The Riparian Web Portal:

1) provides access to riparian data and summary tools,

2) shares examples of on-the-ground restoration and conservation projects, and

3) provides resources such as beneficial management practices, and links to relevant grants and programs.

How we can plan a better future for Alberta’s natural spaces

Alberta Tomorrow Foundation – 31st annual Emerald Award recipient, education category sponsored by Alberta Beverage Container Recycling Corporation & Beverage Container Management Board

The Alberta Tomorrow simulator is an educational tool that helps you to understand the process of sustainable planning to balance land-uses such as agriculture, oil and gas and forestry with ecological integrity. By looking at past and present landscape imagery, you will be able to see changes that have taken place in the past. You can also collect, geotag and save water sampling data, images, video and other observations.