Sustainability Resources, an Albertan not-for-profit organization built with a passion for creating a sustainable future for communities and industries, came down to Okotoks to partner with local governments in an effort to implement solutions for a sustainable community. 

 

On Friday, July 20th at the EPCOR Environmental Education Centre at the Town Operations Centre, the Watersheds for Wildlife Workshop preceded the tree planting that took place along the Sheep River. Experts from Wright Nursery, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, and the University of Alberta provided an in-depth look at reforestation with respect to selecting the best species, supporting biodiversity, and understanding landowner perspectives.

 

Speaking to Rayleigh Conley, the Watershed Program Director for Sustainability Resources, she explained to me how the diverse forms of wildlife in riparian areas (land adjacent to water) rely greatly upon the health of the land. As at least 80% of wildlife needs to use these areas for a part or for the majority of its lifespan, it is imperative that we protect these areas, especially in the face of the rapid decline of biodiversity we are currently observing globally.

On top of Rayleigh's great initiatives to inform the general public about sustainable living, she has also been hiring youth with structural barriers to employment. For example, living in reserves such as Louis Bull - a community with severe demographic strains - individuals face employment discrimination simply due to their address. By hiring these youths, Rayleigh gives them impressive work experience, provides them with a dependable income, effectively help break cycles of crime and poverty. 

 

After the various speakers who dedicated their time to speak about various topics ranging from climate sustainability to native plants for personal properties, those involved walked down to the Sheep River by 32nd Street to plant 2 thousand native trees throughout approximately 2 hectares of land. Congratulations to everyone who participated in the day, making a positive impact on the wildlife and community of Okotoks! 

 

Be sure to check out the images below - from planting trees to giving informative lectures for the Okotoks public to attend, Sustainable Resources provided the professional and educational resources that Okotoks required in order to ensure sustainable natural in the natural community.

 

Big thanks to Rayleigh Conley for having the Eagle Team in attendance to learn all about the great initiatives that Sustainability Resources has undertaken to benefit those who have fallen on difficult times. Thank you for all the wonderful work that you do! Keep it up! Visit Sustainability Resource's website (http://www.sustainabilityresources.ca/) for more information on how you can positively impact your natural community!

 

Catch the Eagle Summer Street Team at our next adventure: Taste of Okotoks on Saturday, July 21st, from 11 am to 4 pm. Join us for great food and live music near the Downtown Plaza! Be sure to grab your tickets in advance so you can enjoy the samplings with no stress! Visit https://www.okotoks.ca/discover-okotoks/community-events-calendar/taste-okotoks for more details.

Also be sure to enter for your chance to win the all-new 2019 Ram 1500 at www.ridetheram.com! Place Okotoks - Eagle 100.9 as your preferred station to help us out as well! 

Finally, if you are interested in having the Eagle cover a community event, please do not hesitate to contact me, the summer events coordinator, at skshatriya@goldenwestradio.com. It is my hope that we can collaborate together in pursuit of a more connected community!