MAPPING WHAT MATTERS

Evaluating critical networks, capacity and collaboration in Alberta’s nonprofit environmental sector.

In 2014, Alberta Ecotrust embarked on the most significant research endeavour in our 23 year history. Our goal was to better understand Alberta’s environmental nonprofits (ENGOs) and determine how we can best support them and the important work they do. ENGOs protect the ecosystems we rely on for health and prosperity, and our role is support them in this incredible role.

To achieve our goal, we combined social network analysis with a comprehensive organizational needs assessment. Social network mapping allows us to understand the past and future relationships between ENGOs in Alberta. The needs assessment gives us a snapshot view of their strengths, their challenges, and the opportunities they face. The combination of these two tools enables us to build, bolster, and connect networks of nonprofits in ways that were previously unimaginable.

In total, 167 organizations participated in Mapping What Matters. We estimate this represents more than 80% of the active environmental nonprofits operating in Alberta. We are incredibly thankful for all the organizations who participated in the project. It is our hope that the results will be a valuable tool in undertaking the irreplaceable work they are undertaking across our province.

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PROJECT BLUE THUMB

Albertans have become increasingly concerned about the availability and quality of our water.  Industrial, agricultural and residential demands for water continue to increase and put pressure on the health and integrity of our rivers and lakes. Recent floods, and the potential long term influence of climate change, have renewed conversations about ecosystem health, cumulative effects, and how to plan for the future of Alberta watersheds. Watersheds themselves are complex systems, and the people and groups tasked with protecting Alberta’s water resources operate in a diverse structure of multi-stakeholder engagement and activity, environmental monitoring, and the creation of integrated management plans.

Project Blue Thumb: Action on Water Quality Issues is a social lab initiative co-convened by Alberta Ecotrust and the Red Deer River Watershed Alliance. The lab team is made up of 29 committed change leaders from government, business, academia, the non-profit sector, and the public, who have come together around the question “How can we work together to maintain or improve surface and groundwater quality in the Red Deer River Watershed?”

Project Blue Thumb was officially launched with a two-day workshop in April, 2015 at Ellis Bird Farm in Lacombe County and the team has been honing their ability to work in a systemic, collaborative and experimental way at multiple events since.

Project Blue Thumb is made possible thank you to generous support from the RBC Foundation, ConocoPhillips Canada, Plains Midstream, Alberta Government’s Community Initiatives Program, and the Red Deer & District Community Foundation.

ALBERTA CLIMATE CONNECT

A place to learn, connect, and accelerate climate action in Alberta.

Alberta Climate Connect (ACC) is an Alberta wide network of organizations and citizens dedicated to increasing climate literacy and action in the province. Together we’ll work to mobilize Albertans on climate change action that reduces emissions, adapts to changing ecosystems, and builds resilience in Alberta communities.

Beginning with two workshops in September 2017 with George Marshall, ACC will continue to provide a high impact learning and networking experience over the next 12 months for people who are interested in engaging Albertans to take meaningful action on climate change.

We believe that meaningful climate solutions must address a range of social, economic and environmental concerns and incorporate a range of knowledge and approaches, including equity. So we aim to bring a diverse cohort of leaders and organizations from all sectors of society – nonprofits, businesses, and government – to work on these challenges together.

STRATEGIC LEARNING & EVALUATION SERIES

Many Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations (ENGOs) struggle to capture and make sense of the results of their work. This makes it difficult for them to assess and adjust their strategies and demonstrate progress to (current and prospective) partners and funders.

With the support of the Calgary Foundation, Alberta Ecotrust Foundation and Here to There Consulting Inc. have partnered to develop and test an on-line workshop series that introduces practical tools to the six most common evaluation challenges ENGOs face in assessing their work. The course is comprised of 6 on-line workshops conducted over 6 months where participants are given tools and techniques that their team can employ to tackle practical evaluation challenge.

This project is made by possible through the generous support of the Calgary Foundation.