Past Emerald Speakers

The Alberta Emerald Foundation elevates its Emerald Awards finalists and recipients in the hopes of inspiring others to adopt sustainable lifestyles and practices.

The Emerald Speakers Series provides the EcoHeroes who have been recognized through the Emerald Awards program with a new platform to share their story and message.

 

DAVID SILBURN – SAIT ARIS GREEN BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES

David Silburn, General Manager for SAIT ARIS Green Building Technologies, shares inspiring advancements in sustainable construction from recent years.

CONOR TAPP – GREEN CALGARY

Emerald Speakers Series alumni Conor Tapp returns for his second talk of the series. Through examples from his work at the Emerald Award-winning Green Calgary, Conor shares the importance of evaluating your engagement tactics to maximize their impact on your audience.

ECOYOLO

After wildfires ravaged Fort McMurray in 2016, EcoYOLO wanted to do something to help replenish what nature had taken away. In the Spring of 2017, a core group of 11 determined EcoYOLO members enlisted the help of likewise dedicated teachers to recruit over 200 city youth to plant 1,650 young trees at Saprae Creek in the RM of Wood Buffalo. The team shares their experiences in this edition of the Emerald Speakers Series.

ELIZABETH GIERL – THE GREEN MEDIUM

As part of the 27th Annual Emerald Awards, Elizabeth Gierl, editor of The Green Medium, shares the process of creating her award-winning environmental blog.

ANN SMRECIU – WILD ROSE CONSULTING INC.

Emerald Award recipient Ann Smreciu explains the characteristics of native plants and weeds, and the importance of knowing their differences.

MORTIMER CAPRILES – FAIRMONT CHATEAU LAKE LOUISE

Mortimer Capriles (Director of Sustainability, Canada’s Western Mountain Region, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts) shares how the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (2017 Large Business Emerald Award Recipient) goes above and beyond in their sustainability practices, and some game-changing ways the hotel industry, and society as a whole, can help reduce their environmental impact.

CONOR TAPP – GREEN CALGARY

Conor Tapp, Executive Director of Green Calgary (2016 Emerald Award Recipient in the Community Group or Not-for-Profit Association: Large Organization category) provides his audience with a step-by-step guide to creating a green goal.

 

CATHY FALK – CITY OF EDMONTON’S ROOT FOR TREES

Cathy Falk, Community Green Supervisor for City of Edmonton’s Emerald Award-winning Root for Trees program, shares the importance of trees and urban naturalization.

KRISTIN ARNOT – CITY OF EDMONTON’S REUSE CENTRE

Through sharing the history of the City of Edmonton’s Reuse Centre (2015 Government Institution Emerald Award Recipient), Kristin Arnot inspires her audience to re-evaluate their waste management habits and to choose to reuse.

LEOR ROTCHILD – DIG | DO IT GREEN

Two-time Emerald Award finalist, Leor Rotchild (2014 & 2015 Small Business Category), shares how a small business like DIG | Do It Green can make a big difference when it comes to the environment.

KELCIE MILLER-ANDERSON – MYCOREMEDY

Kelcie Miller-Anderson is one of the youngest and most inspiring Emerald Awards Recipients (2013 Youth Category Recipient). In a speech delivered at the 25th Annual Emerald Awards in 2016, Kelcie shared her story as a young environmental innovator.

DEBBIE RHEINSTEIN – CAPTAIN NICHOLA GODDARD SCHOOL

Debbie Rheinstein of Calgary’s Captain Nichola Goddard School (2015 Emerald Award Recipient in the Education: School or Classroom category) shares how “Think globally – act locally” can make a huge impact through the award-winning Green Commuting Hubs initiative.