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)
| 2016 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. |
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| 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) |
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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.
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| Ducharme Dayhome (Nominee) |
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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.
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| Youth |
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No nominations for 2016
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Visit environment and sustainability to learn what sustainability means to our community.
