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Sustainability Awards

Home / Live and Play / Environment and Sustainability / Sustainability Awards
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Parkland County offers awards to residents, businesses, schools, agricultural producers and youth who contribute to sustainability or have made a positive change to our environment. Award applications are accepted from October 1st to April 30th annually. Awards are presented during Environment week in June. Apply or nominate a neighbour today.

There are five categories for our Sustainability Award:

  • Residents
  • Businesses
  • Schools
  • Agricultural producers
  • Youth (18 to 30 years old)

Apply online

 

 

 2019 Sustainability Award Recipients and Nominees
 
 Residents
Freda Patterson (Recipient of Award)
Freda Patterson has proven to be a pioneer for environmental projects within Parkland County and a strong advocate for the County’s Green Acreages program. Her property is located on Jackfish Lake, and has become home to countless projects ranging from pollinator nesting structures, shoreline naturalization, a bioswale, water catchment ponds, wildlife habitat and pollinator gardens showcasing native plant species. Freda has funded and completed all of these projects on her own. Each of her projects increase the water quality of Jackfish Lake, stabilize shoreline embankments, encourage species diversity and improve habitat quality. Through her actions, not only will the surrounding ecosystem benefit, but her neighbors and the community of Jackfish Lake will benefit as well.
 Businesses
Solaré Distributors (Recipient of Award)
Originally, the owners of this business, used to run a downhole instrumentation company for oil and gas. After a time, they changed their direction to designing and installing commercial/industrial and residential solar panels. They also provide energy auditing, LED and solar lighting alternatives. Their portfolio is full of various projects involved with First Nations groups, neighboring municipalities and independent business owners. Their practices have a reduction in energy use, thereby helping people to utilize renewable energy to offset their carbon footprint. As such, this year’s business award recipient has been initiating sustainable practices within their business for many years. 
Radon Radar (Nominee)
Radon Radar provides radon measurements in homes and commercial buildings. Radon is a radioactive noble gas that is caused by the breakdown of uranium in soil (natural occurring). There is a measurable amount of radon in all buildings. As you inhale the radon decay product, it sticks to your lung tissue causing lung cancer. It is the primary leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Radon Radar's goal is to be able to install mitigation systems and increase awareness of radon in the community. 
Schools

 No nominations for 2019

Agricultural Producers

 No nominations for 2019

Youth

 No nominations for 2019

 2018 Sustainability Award Recipients and Nominees
 
 Residents
Robert Dyke (Recipient of Award)
In response to efforts of the community to protect and preserve the environment around Jackfish Lake, Robert Dyke installed a septic tank to replace an outhouse and prevent the contamination of the surrounding land and water. Mr. Dyke acted on motivation from the Jackfish Management Association to encourage lake users to use the lake responsibly and sustainably, and Parkland County’s offer of a subsidy (Green Acreages Program) to encourage lake users to contain their sewage. He was a major motivator to other cabin owners to follow suit and install septic systems as well. Many residents continue to install septic systems with encouragement from Mr. Dyke. The stewardship of sustainable practices such as this, will continue to benefit the Jackfish Lake area and the Parkland County environment by protecting and preserving our water quality. 
 Businesses
Parkland County Food Bank (Recipient of Award)
In 2017 by the Parkland Food Bank started the Food Rescue Program in Parkland County. The program collects surplus food regardless of quality, 6 days a week, offering retailers a cost effective and environmentally friendly way of disposing of food that they are unable to sell. Volunteers then get busy sorting into food that is fit for human consumption (according to the standards of Food Banks Canada), and any leftovers are made available to farmers in the community to feed livestock. Last year a total of 164,000 kg was diverted from the landfill and delivered to 3,600 clients,  who make meals and school snacks, as well as three farmers who used expired products for their livestock feed. This initiative will continue to benefit the community and the environment while working towards a zero waste policy.
Little Explorers Child Care (Nominee)
Michelle Ducharme opened a day home that provides quality childcare to families within Parkland County. The children are encouraged to play outside and learn about sustainable practices such as gardening, composting, growing and harvesting food. They utilized the harvested food to make canned goods and sauces as well as baking which was delivered to the neighbours during their afternoon walks. The children also learn about the animals found in Parkland and are encouraged to make their environment more animal friendly. These practices not only allow the children to learn about where their food comes from, it also provides them with a sense of accomplishment and allows them to connect with nature. The children learn compassion and caring for the environment in which they live, which will be carried into the community as they get older.

 

 Schools
 
Nature Kindergarten Extension Program (Recipient of Award)
Rae Finlayson, the Early Childhood Development Supervisor at Parkland School Division saw a need to address several alarming trends her team was witnessing as children entered the school system. They developed the program as they believed that play-based learning in nature will help students with cognitive, verbal and motor functions that would lead to their success in future years. They rent an equipped area at Chickakoo Lake and hired and trained certificated teachers as Forest School Practitioners through the Forest & Nature School Canada program. They designed and implemented a program of study based on nature, play and child-led inquiry. They provide assistance and support to all students as they learn to discover the world around them and go on daily adventures. The children are able to connect with nature, and they develop an ethic of care and stewardship for the land. They are encouraged to use sustainable practices and are taught of the impact that they have on the land and how human activities affect wilderness. This school is key to reversing the trend of being taught indoors only, and in turn, allowing children to grow to respect the land and use sustainable practices. The connections that the children have with the land, will continue to inspire them as they move into adulthood they will have a positive impact on the environment and the community. 
Muir Lake School (Nominee)
Muir Lake School has initiated an Environmental Club and a student led Sustainability Awareness Program which has moved above and beyond recycling programs. Some of the new initiatives include creating digital field guides for local plants and animal identification, building habitat for wildlife, Back-to-the-Land Program and litter less lunches. The students are also involved in programs such as Eco-Motion Auto show, Muir Lake Community Blooms project, and animals and are members of Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots program, to name a few. The students are involved in stewardship throughout the school, including announcements, posters and classroom visits. Money generated from bottle recycling is put toward future green initiatives and compost bins donated by Parkland County are also being utilized in every classroom. The school has commissioned the students, staff, parents and the community to become involved in their programs. The school has initiated environmental awareness throughout the community and has created students who are engaged in sustainability and will become ambassadors for sustainable practices and a better future. 
Agricultural Producers
Julie & Curtis Burger (Recipient of Award)
Julie and Curtis Burger own approximately 160 acres of land, which is used for cattle and cereal production. Approximately 20 acres of their land is unutilized for agricultural purposes as it is a bog. This area was being damaged from access by the public and they applied for and received permission from the County to fence off the right of way where people were gaining access. They have engaged in multiple projects to further protect their land for conservation. They installed a fence to stop the cattle from entering the wetland on their property, allowing for the riparian area to recover and naturalize. They also utilize a portable solar waterer to eliminate the cattle from entering wet areas in search of water. A shelterbelt was also planted on the property which will provide habitat for wildlife and enhance ecosystem services. The Burgers continue to support a diversity of agricultural land uses and are active in preserving important ecosystems.
Youth

 

Dixie Clothing (Recipient of Award)
Katrina Hillyer was working in the fashion industry and couldn’t help but notice the immense amount of waste being generated. She was disheartened at what she had witnessed and stepped away from the industry for a short while. During this time, she began to work at Sunrise Organic Gardens and learned about the importance of a healthy environment and reducing our impact on the planet. When she returned to the fashion industry she was determined to be more sustainable. With the help of textile donations from family and friends, she saw an opportunity for starting a sustainable business in Parkland County and began to up-cycle items into creative and unique pieces, starting a zero waste clothing and accessories line. She has collaborated with the Onoway Thrift store, collecting anywhere from 60-200 pounds of their garbage textiles every week. Through Dixie Clothing, Katrina has created reusable grocery bags from pre worn denim and donates 30% of these sales towards ocean cleanup. Any pieces that are too small to use, are put aside for compost or are given to the Gruger Family Fungi for spores to be planted in, which will greatly reduce the amount of time the fabric needs to compost. Thread spools are also kept for seed planting, a practice she hopes to expand and use in conjunction with her textile compost. Dixie Clothing was asked to be involved in the 90th OSCAR awards show as a part of the gifting lounge, where she was able to further share and showcase her sustainable practices. Dixie Clothing continues to grow and utilize innovative ideas for diverting waste from the landfills and establishing a strong sense of community within Parkland County. 
Ben & Mark Keymer- Edmonton Ice Swap (Nominee)
Ben Keymer has a passion for sports, as well as giving back to the community. He organized a not-for-profit hockey and ringette equipment swap meet with the goal of giving all kids the opportunity to play organized sports. The event saved families within the community thousands of dollars and reduced the amount of waste generated, as equipment is quickly outgrown and discarded. The Edmonton Ice Swap also brought members of the community together providing an opportunity to network. The event is the first of its kind in the Edmonton and surrounding area and they are anticipating an even greater turnout this year. 
 2017 Sustainability Award Recipients and Nominees
 
Residents
 
Parkland Syndicate (Recipient of Award)
In 1974 five families came together and purchased a full section of land located in Parkland County. While under their ownership, the families maintained low impact walking trails twice a year, battled invasive species and isolated sensitive areas.

 

In 2014 the land was deemed an Environmentally Significant Area, as part of the Devon Dunes natural landscape feature. The families made the decision to ensure that the land was conserved for future generations and offered to sell the land to the Nature Conservancy of Canada for half of its appraised value, thereby creating the Bunchberry Meadows Conservation Area. As a result of the land being so well-cared for, the property holds incredible conservation value for the high degree of biodiversity found here.

 

The creation of Bunchberry Meadows will not only provide social benefit to the community by allowing them to connect with nature, it will also inspire others to protect their land. The area is on its way to becoming a cultural showpiece for the Capital Region's natural history and will act as a flagship for the Nature Conservancy of Canada. 
Robert Dyke (Nominee)
In response to efforts of the community to protect and preserve the environment around Jackfish Lake, Robert Dyke replaced an existing outhouse with a septic tank to prevent the contamination of the surrounding land and water, which is caused by leeching from the outhouse. Mr. Dyke encouraged lake users to use the lake responsibly and sustainably, and advocated Parkland County's Green Acreages Program which offers a subsidy to encourage lake users to contain their sewage and reduce nutrient run off into our waterbodies. His campaigning was a major motivator to other cabin owners to follow suit and install septic systems through the Green Acreages Program. 
Businesses
 
Rental Bus Lines (Recipient of Award)
Rental Bus Lines has been initiating sustainable practices within their business for many years. They run 100% of their shop and office on solar power, essentially making them "off grid".

 

Rental Bus Lines utilizes environmentally friendly cleaning products in their buses and are dedicated to recycling. This business uses bus heaters that do not require being plugged in during the cold months and they installed LED lighting to aid in energy efficiency.

 

Rental Bus Lines next step is to reduce their emissions, cut costs, and provide community health benefits by utilizing a new product which will clean the fuel tanks, lines and exhaust. They are also investing in electric school buses which will continue to reduce emissions and fuel costs.
Happy Acres U Pick (Nominee)
Happy Acres U Pick is a family business that has a passion for the produce that they grow and the people that they serve. They are also committed to environmentally friendly and healthy living practices including hand picking weeds and insects from the produce to ensure that they remain chemical free. As the business has expanded, Happy Acres have hired staff to help during the busy season, and are committed to hiring locals, thereby providing jobs to our community and contributing to our local economy.
Get Hooked Fishing (Nominee)

Get Hooked Fishing is an outstanding advocate for fishery resources in Parkland County. They teach proper regulations as well as sustainable practices to consider. 

 

Get Hooked Fishing is committed to obtaining catch information to provide to fisheries managers, which they do out of respect and responsibility for the resources, as they do not receive any compensation for this work. 

 

Get Hooked Fishing has created a unique tool for fish handling that reduces the stress on the fish, and they continue to monitor the impact of gravel operations on the fish in the river.

Ducharme Dayhome (Nominee) 

Michelle Ducharme opened a day home that provides quality childcare to families within Parkland County. Opening a rural day home contributes to developing complete communities as residents do not have to travel to the city daily for childcare. The children are able to play outside and are learning about gardening and the importance of agriculture and knowing where their food comes from. The day home is located along a bus route, which can help cut greenhouse gas emissions and enables her to accommodate families in the area who require before and after school care. 

Schools
 
Muir Lake School (Recipient of Award)
Muir Lake School has initiated an Environmental Club and a student led Sustainability Awareness Program which highlights both bottle and paper recycling as well as composting throughout the school. The programs were motivated by the concern that students are losing touch with nature, which will affect their health, and also the environment.

 

The students are involved in stewardship throughout the school, including announcements, posters and classroom visits. Community Gardens are being designed which will teach students about the importance of gardening and indigenous plants.

 

Money generated from bottle recycling is put toward future green initiatives and compost bins are also being utilized in every classroom. The school has commissioned the students, staff, parents and the community to become involved in their programs.
Graminia School (Nominee)
Graminia School has implemented multiple sustainability projects that are spread across several grades which are teaching students about the values of sustainability. School wide practices have been introduced to reduce waste and encourage recycling.

 

The grade four students have created an aquaponics lab where they are growing produce and raising fish. The students are learning about the importance of the mutually beneficial interaction between the fish and the plants and how different aspects of an ecosystem affect each other.

 

The grade 9 students worked with the University of Alberta and designed Graminia Gardens, a visionary energy efficient subdivision. The students were involved in the planning of the subdivision and creating energy efficient homes which were marketed to the public. The students involved in the projects have discovered the environmental choices that are available to them both at school and in their homes.
Parkland School Divisions Nature Based Kindergarten Program (Nominee)
Parkland School Divisions Nature Based Kindergarten Program has developed an innovative program where children spend the majority of their day outside, connecting with nature. The program involves creative learning opportunities which highlight the importance of nature-based play for children. 2016 The program utilizes the natural environment as a place where curiosity, play, problem solving and calculated risk can take place in a safe way.

 

The children are taught about all aspects of nature and their knowledge and appreciation for the environment in which they live is taken home to their families. Nature based play is essential for optimal, healthy childhood development while also instilling a deeper appreciation for natural environments.
Agricultural Producers

Kevin Porter (Recipient of Award)
Kevin Porter took the initiative to start using sustainable grazing practices such as grazing the pasture during the dry times of the year to reduce compaction from cattle in riparian areas, controlling weeds and spreading manure to improve the soil quality in the pasture. Mr. Porter also utilizes an appropriate stocking rate and follows a responsible recovery time for his pastures between grazing periods. 

 

Mr. Porter has also received the Sustainable Beef accreditation with McDonalds in their Sustainable Beef Pilot Program and demonstrates how using good management practices can benefit both your operation and the landscape.
Youth

 No nominations for 2017

 

 

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