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An Involving Community
Many organizations present programs that support a sustainable lifestyle. Sometimes, this comes about when the group's recognize the support for sustainable topics, and then move the group in that direction. In other cases, leaders see the importance first, and consciously change their direction. Either way, momentum is created as bands of people demonstrate their enthusiasm for more community-based activities.
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Strong Towns seeks to replace America's post-war pattern of development, the Suburban Experiment, with a pattern of development that is financially strong and resilient. They advocate for cities of all sizes to be safe, livable, and inviting. They work to elevate local government to be the highest level of collaboration for people working together in a place.
As a starting point, they suggest helping build a better neighbourhood by being a better neighbour. Their tips include hanging out in your front yard more so you can talk with neighbours, and walking to do errands whenever possible. |
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Environmental action is a team sport. Why not join a team that already has a successful track record of improving our community?
Service clubs, whether aimed primarily at adults or youth, have many community-minded members. They always welcome new participants. Working on meaningful projects with friends keeps motivation high. Remember that youth groups always want new leaders. Experience is not needed, as they all have excellent training programs. |
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This class explores a nearby pond, learning about the water cycle and how water benefits our native plants and wildlife.
In this natural site, science, social studies, arithmetic and English are all learned together. A field trip integrates these subjects just as our environment integrates many changing parts into a beautiful and interesting whole. |
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I have so much fun with my chickens. It makes me so happy to walk outside and call "chick chick chickens" and they all come running to me from different areas of the yard excited to see what treats I may have for them.
Collecting eggs is also a highlight of my day. Unfortunately/ fortunately depending on how you look at it, they like to play a game of hide and seek with their eggs, so it is always an adventure to find where they decided to lay each day. I love how my chickens lay colored eggs, some brown, some blue, even some pinkish tones. Between the egg hunt and the fun colors it always feels like Easter. Our chickens have so much fun eating our kitchen scraps and leftover foods, and they love playing with the random "toys" we make them. The chickens are one of my favourite parts of the farm! |
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| A "Happiness Fence" painted by students in Bonnie Doon, and installed by community league volunteers. | Each group chooses its own facilities and services to provide, with both indoor and outdoor rinks, community gardens and meeting rooms being popular. Average citizens can have their voices heard, and can provide meaningful input. The league management boards introduce future leaders to the governance process. A position on the executive can, and should, be the start of a political career. | |
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In 2009, the Iinnii Initiative was launched by leaders of the four tribes that make up the Blackfoot Confederacy (Blackfeet Nation, Kainai Nation, Piikani Nation, and Siksika Nation) to conserve traditional lands, protect Blackfeet culture, and create a home for the buffalo to return to.
Bison have been the foundation of our grassland. They create diverse habitats for other species, provide food for both humans and carnivores, and perhaps most importantly, act as the glue that holds the culture together. As the project's moving video describes, the bison may yet return to our grasslands, and we will all be the richer for it. |
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The Renewable Energy Design group (RED) is a student-run organization at the University of Alberta committed to making campus a greener place. A recent project, a solar greenhouse, provides a site to develop innovative growing techniques, and pass these on to other students. | |
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Environmental action is a team sport. Why not join a team that already has a successful track record of improving our community?
Service clubs, whether aimed primarily at adults or youth, have many community-minded members. They always welcome new participants. Working on meaningful projects with friends keeps motivation high. Remember that youth groups always want new leaders. Experience is not needed, as they all have excellent training programs. |
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noticed this urban farm in downtown Saskatoon. Corporate support allows the food bank to hire several farmers to grow the food. The two-acre plot grows a lot of food! Instruction is provided as Covid allows. About a dozen bee hives are always a popular attraction.
This program illustrates what the Transition Demonstration Farm is aiming toward. All cities have waste land, often near the downtown area, that could be used for growing food while giving participants valuable life skills.
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Beaver once thrived in even the driest parts of Alberta, conserving water and creating valuable wetland habitat. Large amounts of carbon were stored in the ponds, locked away for decades.
In addition to the climate benefits, ranchers gain dependable water sources, and sub-irrigation of forage plants from a raised water table. Best of all, beaver don't need water licences, and work for free! Solution: Wetland Restoration |
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This sign on the front door of my local Safeway lets people know that less food is wasted here. It is great to see that perfectly good food is made available to deserving people.
This and most other local supermarkets also work with Loop Resource to ensure that all waste food is kept out of the landfill. Some food with cosmetic problems goes to the food bank, while somewhat spoiled food gets fed to pigs or chickens on nearby farms. |
| Photo by Rob Gardner
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These courageous women stepped forward to represent the Green Party in our recent federal election. They brought forward innovative ideas, showing that when our nation honours all our citizens, both society and the environment are winners.
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YYC Growers Harvest Box is a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)-style program. They pay fair prices to trusted local producers to bring a diverse medley of high quality vegetables and other crops grown in and around Calgary.
The benefits are numerous: farmers can sell a substantial volume in a single transaction; their crops are grouped together so, like a co-op, they can provide a steadier supply of a wide range of products; and the customers receive quality food at a group-purchase price. We need more of these operations! |
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Farmers markets offer a chance for urban residents to re-acquaint themselves with how their food is grown. Each week in the summer, thousands of people flock to markets across the province. Judging by the smiles, everyone has fun!
Locally produced food is picked fresher, needs less transportation. Buying direct from the farmer lets you ask how it was grown, what will be available next week, and how things are going in rural Alberta. Solution: Regenerative Annual Cropping
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| Photos by Rob Gardner
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| Last modified November 16, 2023 |
