4th Annual Environmental Gathering
Environmental challenges are not easy. No one can solve them alone.
Alberta Ecotrust’s Environmental Gathering is a critical space for conversation and relationship building. A space where we can respect different points of view and draw on everyone’s ideas to find new solutions to environmental challenges.
The Environmental Gathering is the only place in our province where people in the environmental community, companies, municipal and provincial governments, and citizens can gather to support positive environmental action.
It’s all about coming together. Join us April 4-5 at the 2019 Environmental Gathering at Mount Royal University in Calgary.
Build
skills and leadership on the environment.
Engage
in meaningful dialogue across sectors.
Explore
emerging environmental issues from across Alberta.
Participate
in environmental action at the community level.
Buy Tickets
Registration closed on March 27. Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to attend the 2019 Environmental Gathering.
Who Attends
“Your Gathering is so important. You bring together a diverse range of Albertans to share ideas for how we can improve the health of our environment, and improve the health of our communities.”
Rachel Notley, Premier of Alberta
Program
Alberta Ecotrust and the Environmental Gathering Advisory Committee are actively developing a program. All program details including speakers and sessions will be posted as they become available.
Building on the success of the Big Ideas for Alberta’s Future shared at the 2018 Environmental Gathering, the 2019 Environmental Gathering program will focus on the aspirational United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a lens for environmental work in our province.
Thank you to everyone who responded to our Request for Presentation Guidelines and applied using the Submission Form. The application deadline was December 17, 2018. Contact Amy at [email protected] with any questions or concerns.
Program Details
7:30 am
Registration
8:00 am
Breakfast Roundtables
8:30 am
Welcome & Blessing from Elder Clarence Wolfleg Sr. (Agar)
9:00 am
Plenary Session
-
Is Alberta’s Pathway Sustainable?
Dr. Brad Stelfox, ALCES Group
10:30 am
Networking Break Activities
-
Book Sale: Curated by Alberta Ecotrust
Bookstore, Mount Royal University
-
Student Art Installation: Alberta’s Energy History & Future
Patrick Duke, Students on Sustainability
-
Calgary Captured: Engaging Calgarians in Urban Wildlife Monitoring
Nicole Kahal, Miistakis Institute
-
Live Podcast Recording: Connecting Urban & Environmental Health
Intelligent Futures, 360 Degree City Podcast
-
New Energy Economy Map
Ashley Bodiguel, Pembina Institute
-
UN Sustainable Development Goals Wheel
Reka Vasarhelyi, Green Calgary
10:45 am
Breakout Session Intros in Plenary
11:15 am
Breakout Sessions
-
Room # 1040
Indigenous Climate Change Observation NetworkAlvin First Rider, Abbey Soosay, Diandra Bruised Head, & Marley Kozak, Alberta Environment & Parks
-
Room # 1050
Delivering Unpopular Messages: Understand Why People Don’t Hear the Message & How You Can Be More EffectiveNorine Ambrose, Cows & Fish
-
Room # 1060
Together Alberta: Mapping Alberta’s Contribution to the Sustainable Development GoalsLaveza Khan, Alberta Council for Global Cooperation
-
Room # 2010
Planning for a Better Future Using Alberta TomorrowJennifer Janzen, Alberta Tomorrow Foundation
-
Room # 2065
Museums as Catalysts for Climate ActionJennifer Forsyth & Meaghan Patterson, Alberta Museums Association
-
Room # 2075
Restorative Justice & Environmental WorkCyndie Shouldice, Darryl Heidebrecht & Trish Elgersma, RAFT Program
12:30 pm
Lunch
1:30 pm
Breakout Session Intros in Plenary
2:00 pm
Breakout Sessions
-
Room # 1040
UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples & the UN Sustainable Development GoalsJule Asterisk & Quin Jackson-Buck, Keepers of the Athabasca
-
Room # 1050
Getting to Zero Carbon in Alberta through Building RetrofitsSam Lane, Canada Green Building Council – Alberta Chapter
-
Room # 1060
Connecting Art & ScienceAudrey Lane Cockett & Lisa Dahlseide, Weaselhead/Glenmore Park Preservation Society
Breakout Sessions continued
-
Room # 2010
Going Deeper: Understanding Zero-Waste Challenges through User Experience MappingJohn Lewis, Intelligent Futures
-
Room # 2065
When OR isn’t enough: Conservation AND Production on Agricultural LandsChristine Campbell & Becky Devaleriola, ALUS Canada
-
Room # 2075
Low Carbon Cities CanadaRod Ruff, Alberta Ecotrust Foundation, Robyn Webb, City of Edmonton & Dick Ebersohn, City of Calgary
3:00 pm
Networking Break Activities
-
Book Sale: Curated by Alberta Ecotrust
Bookstore, Mount Royal University
-
Student Art Installation: Alberta’s Energy History & Future
Patrick Duke, Students on Sustainability
-
Calgary Captured: Engaging Calgarians in Urban Wildlife Monitoring
Nicole Kahal, Miistakis Institute
-
Live Podcast Recording: Connecting Urban & Environmental Health
Intelligent Futures, 360 Degree City Podcast
-
New Energy Economy Map
Ashley Bodiguel, Pembina Institute
-
UN Sustainable Development Goals Wheel
Reka Vasarhelyi, Green Calgary
3:30 pm
Plenary Session with Keynote Cory Beaver
4:15 pm
Networking Reception Begins
4:45 pm
Music by VOLK
5:00 & 5:30 pm
-
Trico Changemakers Studio Tour
Vicki Stroich, Alberta Ecotrust Foundation
6:00 pm
Networking Reception Ends
The Thursday Evening Networking Activities are all optional, and available to participants at an additional cost.
During your event registration, you will be prompted to select one of the activities. If you missed signing up, please use the buttons below to register.
This year, we will find ourselves in the neighbourhood of Inglewood in Calgary to:
Build your own Terrarium
In this networking activity, build your own terrarium at Plant. Included in this activity price is step-by-step terrarium-making and care guide, tips and tricks from the expert staff, all supplies and materials (glass, plants, soil, decorative material), and a gourmet bagged dinner and dessert according to your dietary preference. A total of 24 spots are available to participate in this activity. This activity costs $70.30 per person. Get crafty and leave with your own handy work!
FULL! Please check out one of the other awesome activities available!
Take a Birding Tour
In this networking activity, Alpenglow Nature Hikes will take you on a guided birding tour of the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and Nature Centre. The tour will take place outside, so be sure to dress appropriately. Enjoy a gourmet bagged dinner and dessert according to your dietary preference. A total of 15 spots are available to participate in this activity. This activity costs $25.00 per person.
Dine at the Eden Bistro
In this networking activity, enjoy your selection of a gourmet three-course meal with fresh ingredients at The Eden Bistro, a new eatery with a local twist on comforting French classics. A total of 60 spots are available to participate in this activity. This activity costs $50.00 per person.
If you decide not to attend one of the optional activities, don’t worry! We will continue conversing and networking after the reception ends at Cold Garden.
7:30 am
Diana Izard, Yoga Seva YYC
8:15 am
Breakfast Session
- Hidden Life Film Screening
Jennifer Ewen, Marda Loop Justice Film Festival
9:00 am
Plenary Session
-
Women’s Perspectives: Climate, Leadership & Community
Joy Romero, Canadian Natural Resources Limited; Kate Chisholm, Capital Power; Natalie Odd, Alberta Environmental Network; Moderated by Pat Letizia, Alberta Ecotrust Foundation
10:10 am
Networking Break Activities
-
Book Sale: Curated by Alberta Ecotrust
Bookstore, Mount Royal University
-
Student Art Installation: Alberta’s Energy History & Future
Patrick Duke, Students on Sustainability
-
Live Podcast Recording: Connecting Urban & Environmental Health
Intelligent Futures, 360 Degree City Podcast
-
New Energy Economy Map
Ashley Bodiguel, Pembina Institute
-
UN Sustainable Development Goals Wheel
Reka Vasarhelyi, Green Calgary
10:30 am
Breakout Session Intros in Plenary
11:00 am
Breakout Sessions
-
Room # 1040
Advancing Collaboration for Healthy WatersLindsay Telfer, Our Living Waters Network
-
Room # 1050
Alberta Native Friendship Centres: Spaces for Indigenous Climate LeadershipLeonard Auger & Laura MacTaggart, Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association
-
Room # 1060
The Imperative of Including YouthLaura Hughes, Alberta Council for Environmental Education & Adam Robb, Calgary Board of Education
Breakout Sessions continued
-
Room # 2010
The Sustainable Development Goals: An Opportunity for BusinessPatti Dolan, Mission Wealth Advisors of Raymond James Ltd.; Mel Wilson, MJ Wilson Inc. & Yvonne Jeffrey, Vermillion Energy
-
Room # 2065
Wild Spaces 2020: Alberta’s Pathway to ProtectionGrace Wark, Joanna Skrajny & Nissa Petterson, Alberta Wilderness Association
-
Room # 2075
Building a Constituency for Climate ActionPat Letizia, Alberta Ecotrust Foundation & Amber Bennett, Climate Outreach
12:00 pm
Lunch & Networking Break Activity
-
Informational Design SDG MRU Student Showcase
Amanda Derksen, SDG Goal 14; Cassandra Morrisey, SDG Goal 3; Courtney Clarkson, SDG Goal 15; and, Kinza Arshad, SDG Goal 11
1:00 pm
Sustainable Development Goals – Success Stories in Alberta
-
Conservation Doesn’t Just Happen: Protecting our Lands & Waters through Political Engagement
Katie Morrison, CPAWS Southern Alberta
-
Farm Solutions = Climate Solutions
Derek Leahy, Rural Routes to Climate Solutions
-
#NonProfitsVote
Alexa Briggs, Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations
2:15 pm
Networking Break Activities
-
Book Sale: Curated by Alberta Ecotrust
Bookstore, Mount Royal University
-
Student Art Installation: Alberta’s Energy History & Future
Patrick Duke, Students on Sustainability
-
Live Podcast Recording: Connecting Urban & Environmental Health
Intelligent Futures, 360 Degree City Podcast
-
New Energy Economy Map
Ashley Bodiguel, Pembina Institute
-
UN Sustainable Development Goals Wheel
Reka Vasarhelyi, Green Calgary
2:30 pm
Plenary Session with Keynote Sheri-D Wilson
2:45 pm
Closing Remarks Pat Letizia
3:00 pm
Day 2 Conclusion, end of the 2019 Environmental Gathering
Ross Glen Hall
The Environmental Gathering takes place over two full days in Ross Glen Hall at Mount Royal University in Calgary.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Environmental Gathering is designed as an active learning event. There is a strong emphasis on learning, and importantly, on implementing solutions. The more people that attend from your organization, the more benefit you and your organization will receive.
Your ticket includes access to two full days of presentations and workshops, food and beverage, networking break activities, and our networking reception.
In addition to the regular programming, the Environmental Gathering features additional activities for attendees on the evening of Thursday, April 4 to connect and experience Calgary together. This year, the activities include a Build Your Own Terrarium workshop, a Birding Tour at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, and a gourmet Dinner at The Eden Bistro. These activities are provided at an extra cost for the participants.
This year, there is no preferred hotel arranged. We can recommend the nearby Grey Eagle Resort & Casino. If you require any assistance, contact Amy Spark at [email protected].
Yes! We are pleased to offer students a discount off of our regular ticket price. When you register, please use the discount code Student2019 to receive 50% off the ticket price.
Our goal is to provide a high quality event at minimal cost for attendees. Alberta Ecotrust is pleased to offer a limited number of bursaries to help participants attend the Environmental Gathering. Our bursary applications for financial assistance closed on February 15, 2019.
Questions? Contact Amy Spark at [email protected].
Our applications to volunteer at the Environmental Gathering closed on February 15, 2019.
Questions? Contact Amy Spark at [email protected]
Stay Connected
Contact Us
Have a question about the Environmental Gathering? Send us a quick note to [email protected] or call 403-209-2245.
Our Sponsors
Sponsorship opportunities for the Environmental Gathering are available. There are a number of ways you and your organization can be involved. The Environmental Gathering would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. Thank you!
If you would like more information about sponsoring this event please contact Vicki at [email protected].
Thank You to Our Advisory Committee
Conor Tapp, Executive Director, Green Calgary
Cory Beaver, Student, Mount Royal University
Danah Duke, Executive Director, Miistakis Institute
Derek Leahy, Director, Rural Routes to Climate Solutions
Eric Westrum, Sustainability Reporting Advisor, Suncor
Greg Bennett, Founder, AIRIA Cloud
Julia-Maria Becker, Director of Clean Economy, Pembina Institute
Natalie Odd, Executive Director, Alberta Environmental Network
Shannon Frank, Executive Director, Oldman Watershed Council
Suzanne Chew, PhD candidate, University of Calgary Graduate College