Okotoks Recommended Green Guides

Calgary Herald Green Guide

http://www.calgaryherald.com/life/green-guide/index.html

General Green Information

Articles on helping your family, help the planet.

Green Calgary & The Calgary EcoStore

http://www.greencalgary.org/

General Green Information

Great site for green tips and local events

Green Calgary is a dynamic, non-profit urban environmental organization with a mission to empower Calgarians to create healthy homes and communities through environmental education, products, and services.

National Geographic Green Guide

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/greenguide/home-garden

General Green Information

Trying to understand what climate change, fuel efficiency, green chemistry, and sustainability have to do with you? Green Guide's blog helps you wade through the green-washing and complicated science. Green Guide writers tease out some of the most notable stories and trends, and provide tips on how you can meaningfully and easily green your own life.

Local & Regional Organizations

Drake Landing Solar Community Website

http://www.dlsc.ca/

Solar Energy

The Drake Landing Solar Community (DLSC) is a master planned neighbourhood in the Town of Okotoks, Alberta, Canada that has successfully integrated Canadian energy efficient technologies with a renewable, unlimited energy source - the sun.

EcoLiving

http://www.ecolivingfair.ca/

General Green Information

The EcoLiving Fair & Speaker Series is a showcase where individuals and groups come together to share information about initiatives and environmental experiences with Calgarians. The Fair and Speaker Seriesaim to increase public awareness on sustainable living, while at the same time promoting alternative technologies and lifestyles

Imagine Calgary

http://www.imaginecalgary.ca/

Development

Imagine Calgary is the blueprint helping Calgarians create a sustainable future
and exceptional quality of life for generations to comeSustainable Planning in Calgary and Region

REAP Calgary

http://www.reapcalgary.com/

General Green Information

REAP is a not-for-profit association of Calgary businesses that are concerned with issues of sustainability. We know that every choice each of us makes - what to buy, what to eat, what to wear - affects our planet and the lives of its inhabitants.

Sustainable Calgary

http://www.sustainablecalgary.ca/

General Green Information

Promoting encouraging and supporting community level actions and initiatives that move Calgary towards a sustainable future.

Government of Alberta Sites and Alberta Organizations

Alberta Energy

http://www.energy.gov.ab.ca/

Energy

Government of Alberta’s Department of Energy (The Provincial Energy Strategy)

Alberta Environment

http://environment.alberta.ca/

General Environment

Information

Government of Alberta’s  Department of the Environment (all environmental sectors)

Alberta Environmental Network

http://www.aenweb.ca/

Environment

The Alberta Environmental Network (AEN) has been active and growing in Alberta since 1980. Membership in the AEN is open to Alberta-based non-profit, non-governmental organizations demonstrating sincere concern and action toward a healthier environment.

Alberta Water Council

http://www.albertawatercouncil.ca

Water

Multi-stakeholder partnership of governments, industry, and non-government organizations. Its primary task is to monitor and steward implementation of the Alberta’s Water for Life strategy.

Alberta Water Portal

http://www.albertawater.com

Water

Not-for-profit organization by Alberta WaterSMART,the Bow River Basin Council, IBM and Tesera Systems, with funding and support from the Alberta Research Council, and the Suncor Energy Foundation, and the Alberta Water Research Institute, and supported by other private and public sector technology, industry, watershed management partnerships.

Climate Change Central

http://www.climatechangecentral.com/

Climate Change and Rebate Programs

Non-Profit Provincial Organization that provides information on Climate Change and is the administrator of Provincial Rebate Programs

Climate Change Information

http://environment.alberta.ca/1319.html

Climate Change in Alberta

Government of Alberta’ Information and Directive on Climate Change

Renewable and Alternative Energy

http://www.ucahelps.gov.ab.ca/103.html

Energy

Government of Alberta’s Information Pages on Renewable and Alternative Energy.

Southern Alberta Alternative Energy Partnership

http://www.saaep.ca/

Energy

Array of information on the assets, feasibility, and opportunities for wind, solar and biofuels development in South-Central and South-Western Alberta.

Too Good to Waste

http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/Waste/

Waste

Government of Alberta’s Too Good to Waste Strategy

Water for Life

http://www.waterforlife.alberta.ca

Water

Government of Alberta’s Water for Life Strategy

Government of Canada Sites & National Organizations

Built Green Canada

http://www.builtgreencanada.ca

Green  Building Design & Construction

Built Green is an industry driven voluntary program that promotes "green" building practices to reduce the impact that building has on the environment. It benefits the homebuyer, the community and the environment and is an opportunity for everyone to choose a "green" future.

Canada Green Building Council (LEED)

http://www.cagbc.org

Green  Building Design & Construction

Lead and accelerate the transformation to high-performing, healthy green buildings, homes and communities throughout Canada.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/moloin/moloin_008.cfm

Energy-Efficient Housing Made More Affordable with Mortgage Loan Insurance

More than 17 percent of the energy consumed in Canada is used to run our homes. Buying an energy-efficient home or making energy-saving renovations can offer big savings. A 10% CMHC mortgage loan insurance premium refund and extended amortization period without surcharge may be available when you use CMHC insured financing to purchase an energy-efficient home or make energy-saving renovations.

Canadian Solar Industry Association

http://www.cansia.ca

Solar Energy

CSIA merged with CPIA in 1992, and the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) has existed in this form since then. This group focuses on both solar thermal and PV technologies.

David Suzuki Foundation

http://www.davidsuzuki.org/

General Green Information

This group works with government, business and individuals to conserve our environment by providing science-based education, advocacy and policy work, and acting as a catalyst for the social change that today's situation demands.

Energy Council Canada

http://www.energy.ca

All Energy

The Energy Council of Canada is a vehicle for strategic thinking, networking and action by senior executives in the private and public sectors that have a broad interest in national, continental and global energy issues. 

Environment Canada

 www.ec.gc.ca

General National Environment Information

Environment Canada (EC) is a diverse organization where our programs, services, and people that leads the way in implementing the federal government’s environmental agenda.

Environment Canada Sustainability Report

http://www.sustreport.org/

General National Environment Reporting

The Sustainability Reporting Program is Canada's first independent initiative to find out how we are doing at living in balance for the long term. The reporting system works from a definition of sustainability that sees human activities as part of - and dependent upon - the natural world.

Green Learning Canada

http://www.greenlearning.ca/

General Green Learning

Help your students participate in their own learning while gaining a more holistic and hopeful understanding of today's complex energy and environmental issues.

Industry Canada Sustainability and the Environment

http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/ic1.nsf/eng/h_00080.html

Industry and the Environment

Government of Canada Programs for Industry and Sustainability

National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy

http://www.nrtee-trnee.com/

General National Environment and Economy Information

The NRTEE brings together a group of distinguished sustainability leaders active in businesses, universities, environmental groups, labour, public policy, and Aboriginal communities across Canada. Our membersare appointed by the federal government for a mandate of up to three years. They meet in a round table formatthat offers a safe haven for discussion and encourages the unfettered exchange of ideas leading to consensus.

Natural Resources Canada

http://www.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca/com/

National Environment Information and Programs

Government of Canada’s primary Department of Environmental Management and Sustainable Development

Pembina Institute

http://climate.pembina.org/

Climate Change &Sustainable Energy

Not-for-profit National Organization that specializes in research into climate change and sustainable energy development.

SEEDS

Society, Environment and Energy Development Studies 

Foundation.

http://www.seedsfoundation.ca/

General Green Learning

SEEDS is a national not-for-profit foundation, estimates that we have reached literally millions of Canadian students and their families since 1976.

Sierra Club of Canada

http://www.sierraclub.ca/  

General / Multi-topic Environment

One of North America’s oldest and most establishedenvironmental organizations. Together, with our thousands of members and supporters, we have been safeguarding the environment and working towards a sustainable Canada for our future and the present.

The Green Lane: Environment Canada and Sustainable Development

http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=FD9B0E51-1

Sustainable Development

Environment Canada’s specific site on sustainable development.

Tools of Change

http://www.toolsofchange.com/

Sustainable Living Tips

This site offers specific tools, case studies, and a planning guide for helping people take actions and adopt habits that promote health, safety and/or sustainability.

World Wildlife Fund Canada

http://wwf.ca/

Climate Change and the Natural Environment

One of the country's leading conservation organizations, enjoying the active support of more than 150,000 Canadians. This group focused on stopping the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by: conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

Information from the United States

Americas Council for an Energy Efficient Economy

http://www.aceee.org/

Green Consumer Resource Centre

ACEEE is a Washington, D.C.-based independent, non-profit research group dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means of protecting the environment and strengthening the economy. ACEEE's Green Book is a unique consumer resource providing Green Scores rating the environmental friendliness of every vehicle on market.

Food and Agricultural Organization

http://www.fao.org

Food, Agriculture & Climate Change

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Serving both developed and developing countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and debate policy. FAO is also a source of knowledge and information

National Wildlife Federation

 http://www.nwf.org/

Wildlife and the Environment

The National Wildlife Federation is America's largest conservation organization. We work with more than 4 million members, partners and supporters in communities across the country to protect and restore wildlife habitat, confront global warmingand connect with nature.

The Renewable Resource Data Centre

http://www.nrel.gov/rredc/

Renewable Energy

The Renewable Resource Data Center (RReDC) provides access to an extensive collection of renewable energy resource data, maps, and tools. Biomass, geothermal, solar, and windresource data for locations throughout the United States can be found through the RReDC.

United States Environmental Protection Agency

http://www.epa.gov

Environmental Protection

EPA leads the nation's environmental science, research, education and assessment efforts. The mission of the Environmental Protection Agency is to protect human health and the environment. Since 1970, EPA has been working for a cleaner, healthier environment for the American people.

U.S. Green Building Council (LEED)

http://www.usgbc.org

Green Design & Construction

The U.S. Green Building Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community of leaders working to make green buildings available to everyone within a generation

 International Sites

International Institute for Sustainable Development

http://www.iisd.org   

Sustainable Development

IISD is in the business of promoting change towards sustainable development. As a policy research institute dedicated to effective communication of our findings, we engage decision-makers in government, business, NGOs and other sectors in the development and implementation of policies that are simultaneously beneficial to the global economy, the global environment and to social well-being.

United Nations Environment Program

http://www.unep.org

Sustainable Development

To provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

http://unfccc.int/2860.php

Climate Change

Over a decade ago, most countries joined an international treaty -- the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC) -- to begin to consider what can be done to reduce global warming and to cope with whatever temperature increases are inevitable. More recently, a number of nations approved an addition to the treaty: the Kyoto Protocol, which has more powerful (and legally binding) measures.

World Health Organization

http://www.who.int/en/

Health & Environment

WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.