At Alberta Ecotrust Foundation, we work alongside people who are deeply engaged in environmental work every day. Through our colleagues, partners and community, we are constantly learning and sharing ideas that strengthen our work and broaden our understanding.

If you are looking for your next book, podcast or article, our team has gathered a selection of recommendations that have informed and inspired their work.

Recommended by Lori

Lori recently read There Are Rivers in the Sky, a beautiful novel that reminds us that water is the ultimate storyteller, a single drop carrying the memories of the ancient Tigris all the way to the modern Thames. This concept in this novel resonated so deeply with her, especially in the context of our work in watershed security here in Alberta, reminding her that the water and watersheds we steward with this work are the same lifeblood that has sustained life across this landscape for millennia. To secure our watersheds is to honour a sacred, liquid bridge between our ancestors and our grandchildren. 

Additionally, she recommends the Good Fire podcast, which explores themes around Indigenous fire. This podcast series is a beautiful reminder that fire is not an enemy to be conquered, but a sacred partner in the dance of renewal. The episodes teach us how to return the gift of the flame to the land, restoring the balance that only an ancient, reciprocal relationship can provide.

Lori also suggests the Your Forest podcast, particularly an episode on saving whitebark pine. The discussion highlights the importance of protecting this keystone species and the broader ecosystems that depend on it.

Carolina’s Picks 

Babel by R.F. Kuang is a novel that isn’t directly related to environmental work, but is very much about the systems that drive environmental degradation: Extraction, inequality and power. It’s a useful lens for thinking about how environmental work can go beyond surface-level solutions and address root causes. Programs Specialist, Carolina endorses this read because, at its core, the book is about colonialism, exploitation and the moral tension of benefiting from unjust systems. 

Carolina also recommends the Ologies podcast with Alie Ward, which is a science and curiosity podcast. Each episode focuses on a different “-ology” (a field of study). Ward interviews an expert (called an “ologist”) and asks them questions about their field in a really conversational, funny way. There are often episodes on environmental topics like ecology, conservation and climate-related science.

Recommended by Stefanie 

Programs Specialist, Stefanie’s first read for you is an article titled “Interior Salish women are reclaiming fire — and protecting their homelands.” This story highlights the importance of weaving both Indigenous and Western knowledges in environmental management and how practice and policy can shift to be more inclusive. 

Many people here at Alberta Ecotrust are avid gardeners, often sharing both our challenges and wins on our dedicated "Plants and Gardens" team chat. With spring in full swing in Alberta, Stefanie recommends checking out the Gardening In Canada YouTube channel. Saskatchewan soil scientist, Ashley, shares science-backed tips and tricks for northern gardeners in a fun and approachable way.

Breanna’s suggestions 

The State of Play of Natural Infrastructure on the Canadian Prairies, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development, provides an overview of how natural infrastructure is being applied across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Water Coalition Program Specialist, Breanna, recommends this article because it highlights the role of wetlands, grasslands and healthy watersheds in managing water, reducing flood and drought risk and supporting resilient communities.

Nature that Works, also from the International Institute for Sustainable Development, examines the performance of natural infrastructure. Drawing on case studies, it shows how these approaches can improve water quality, manage runoff and deliver long-term cost savings alongside conventional systems.

For a longer read, Breanna recommends The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer. The book explores an alternative economic perspective grounded in reciprocity, relationships and shared value, using the serviceberry as a central metaphor.