A program unique to Okotoks made significant strides in conservation and environmental initiatives this summer.
From May to September, a team of four undertook a campaign of conservation awareness in Okotoks, touching on water and energy conservation, waste management and more. The team was composed of individuals with backgrounds in environmental sciences, ecology, biology, conservation sciences and education.
The team, made up of Abby Murray, Iris George, Josh King and Taylor Tulissi, ran school and community group eco-education programs, Town day camps, outdoor public information booths and door-to-door visits to new utility account addresses and high water users.
Thanks to the conservation team, 167 kg of waste was diverted from the landfill at Town events this summer.
More than 740 students attended summer eco-education programs, including 22 school programs completed in May and June and nine day camps. Additionally, 110 storm drains were painted as part of the Yellow Fish Road program, which promotes awareness of water systems and runoff pollution.
At least 2,000 individuals were engaged at various Town events, including BuskersFest, Taste of Okotoks and ChiliFest.
The group also ran an environment week, which saw a clothing swap, critter dip in the Sheep River and test drives of electric vehicles.
Five Autonomous Recording Units (ARUs), devices which gather information about wildlife living in an area of concern, were deployed throughout town. More than 18,000 images and 4,800 audio recordings were captured through this project.
During visits to new utility account residences, conservation educators briefed residents on the outdoor watering schedule, the Water Conservation Rebate program, the xeriscape program, the water meter portal, the waste app and the Okotoks Eco Centre.
The group also performed a waste audit and helped to inform the public of the partial watering ban.
For more information on the work of the 2022 conservation educators, click here.
