What's New - October 2007

Environmental Sustainability: A Selection of Curricular Resources

Introduction
This month educators are offered a selection of resources that can be used to create learning experiences related to environmental sustainability. As an initial point of reference, excerpts from various programs of studies are provided where environmental sustainability is emphasized, either in the rationale and philosophy of the program or through various knowledge, skill and attitudinal outcomes. What follows is a selection of related resources from multiple perspectives including government, environment, education, and business sectors. Using these resources, it is possible to create inquiry-based learning experiences1 that evoke higher level thinking about this timely and real-world issue.

¹ For a discussion of inquiry-based learning best practices see http://www.teachingquality.ab.ca/WhatsNew/2006_01.html. Other What's New items that may be of worth considering when designing learning experiences include Teaching in the Future (http://www.teachingquality.ab.ca/WhatsNew/2007_01.html) and Student Portfolios (http://www.teachingquality.ab.ca/WhatsNew/2007_04.html).

Alberta Education, Teaching and Learning Resources

The outcomes noted above can be addressed through the use of a variety of teaching and learning resources including the authorized resources available from the Learning Resources Database and LearnAlberta.ca as described below.

The Alberta Agriculture and Food web site offers a range of resources related to environmental sustainability and its importance within the agricultural sector in Alberta. A sampling of these resources is provided below:

• A comprehensive discussion about agriculture, greenhouse gases and climate change can be found at http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$Department/ deptdocs.nsf/all/cl11297 (April 2007) and http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/ $Department/deptdocs.nsf/all/cl9706 (April 2007).
• Another recent paper entitled A Changing Climate for Agriculture: How can we prepare? (April 2007) discusses the opportunities and risks associated with global warming and suggests ways in which agriculture can minimize its "footprint" on the environment and adapt to the changing climate. See http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/ $Department/deptdocs.nsf/all/cl11298 for more information.
• The relationship between agroforestry and greenhouse gases is discussed in the paper entitled Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Agroforestry - Things You Need to Know (March 2007).
• Important facts about manure management and greenhouse gases can be found at http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$Department/deptdocs.nsf/all/cl10038.
• The paper entitled Agriculture in the Alberta Carbon Market (September 2007) summarizes recent provincial legislation related to reducing greenhouse gases. See http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/cl11618 for more information.
• A section entitled Environmental Stewardship: Biodiversity (see http://www.agric.gov.ab.ca/app21/
  selcat?cat1=Soil%2FWater%2FAir&cat2=Environmental+Stewardship&subj=
  862&head=Biodiversity&page=true) provides links to land resource atlases of Alberta as well as information about biodiversity risks for agricultural areas in Alberta and species at risk in Alberta. Another section entitled Environmental Stewardship: Conservation (see http://www.agric.gov.ab.ca/app21/selcat?cat1=Soil%2FWater%2FAir&cat2=
  Environmental+Stewardship&subj=211&head=Conservation&page=true) provides links to stream surveys, information about beneficial management practices and water erosion control, and descriptions of the Parkland Conservation Farm (a farm that demonstrates and promotes sustainable crop and livestock production practices that conserve soil, water, and wildlife habitat.

Alberta Environment
http://environment.gov.ab.ca/default.aspx

The mandate of Alberta Environment is to manage and sustain a healthy environment, a prosperous economy and strong communities in the province. The Department's web site expresses the Government's commitment to protecting the province's air, land, and water as well as their desire to be a leader in addressing climate change and waste management. To that end, the site offers several useful resources including but not limited to those listed below. The Environmental Education resources (see third bullet) are designed specifically for Alberta schools.

• Alberta's Water Strategy (Water for Life: Alberta's Strategy for Sustainability, http://www.waterforlife.gov.ab.ca/): This strategy outlines the Department's water management approach to sustaining a healthy water supply for the environment, for people, for communities, and for the province's economic well-being.
• Climate Change (http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/Climate/): This series of pages offer information about climate change (see Facts About Climate Change (http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/Climate/docs/Fact_Book.pdf), describes what is being done to address climate change in Alberta (see http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/climate/accomplishments.html and Albertans and Climate Change: Moving Forward; http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/Climate/docs/CC_Moving_Foward.pdf), and suggests further actions that can be taken to reduce emissions (http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/climate/library.html).
• Environmental Education (http://environment.gov.ab.ca/edu/): Designed specifically for Alberta's teachers, students, and communities, the resources offered on this series of pages include: professional development opportunities; in-school, no-cost presentations; field trip ideas/locations and virtual field trips, posters, student workbooks and teacher guides; homework helpers including games, quizzes, pictures, worksheets and maps; and various publications related to waste management and conservation of air, water, and energy.
• Environmental Tools Guide (http://www.environment.gov.ab.ca/ETG/): The environmental tools or mechanisms described on these pages are designed to encourage environmentally desirable behaviors (e.g., voluntary stewardship, corporate environmental responsibility, information disclosure, cooperative agreements, market-based and fiscal instruments, and regulations). See http://www.environment.gov.ab.ca/ETG/what.html for more information.
• EnviroVista: Environmental Leadership Program (http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/protenf/approvals/factsheets/enviroVista.html): This section of the site describes Alberta's EnviroVista program including eligibility criteria as well as a list of companies identified as environmental leaders.
• Information About Air (http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/air/index.html): This series of pages offers information about: the history of ambient air management in Alberta, some definitions and terminology; the factors that affect air quality and how air quality can affect the environment; how industrial air emissions are managed; what objectives, directives, guidelines, and standards have been developed for ambient air and industrial emissions; what, where and how monitoring is done in the province; what dispersion models are used to determine if the emissions from an industrial facility will meet Ambient Air Quality Objectives; and emissions inventories and industrial reporting.
• Initiatives; Pollution Prevention and Conservation; and Waste Reduction The site also provides information on various stakeholder initiatives (http://www.environment.gov.ab.ca/stakeholder/), pollution prevention and conservation (http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/waste/pprevention/index.html), and waste reduction (http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/waste/aow/index.html).

The Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (SRD) department works with Albertans to ensure a balance between the economic, environmental and social values. They fight forest fires, manage fish and wildlife, oversee the development of Alberta's forests, and manage the use of public lands.

SRD supports school- and community-based educational programs in Alberta by making available a variety of print and online resources including posters, fact sheets, brochures and videos on lands and forests, fish and wildlife, and species at risk (see http://www.srd.gov.ab.ca/aboutus/education.aspx for more information). To request materials contact the SRD Information Centre at 1-877-944-0313 or via email at srd.infocent@gov.ab.ca.

Alberta Sustainable Resource and Environmental Management
http://www.srem.gov.ab.ca/

To further the Government of Alberta's commitment to becoming the best natural resource and environmental managers in the world, Alberta Energy, Alberta Environment and Alberta Sustainable Resource Development are strengthening the ways they work together. The Sustainable Resource and Environmental Management approach involves thinking, acting and working together to, where appropriate, integrate policies, align and share information and streamline regulatory processes (see http://www.srem.gov.ab.ca/pdf/1999_Commitment_document.pdf for more information about this commitment). Current activities involve: the development of a land-use framework (http://www.landuse.gov.ab.ca/); a review of upstream oil and gas development activities, from exploratory drilling to reclamation and remediation (http://www.srem.gov.ab.ca/oil_and_gas.html); and the development of a working model to ensure information is inter-operable and can be shared more effectively (http://www.srem.gov.ab.ca/info_sharing.html).

Environment Canada: Action and Learning
http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=8B2F9F48-1

The Government of Canada provides information about how individuals can help clean the air, save energy, conserve water and prevent pollution. This section of the Environment Canada web site offers fact sheets, quizzes, guides, success stories, models, tips, tutorials and other resources to help Canadians learn how to green their homes, workplaces, schools and communities. Resources about stewardship projects and for teachers and volunteers can also be found here.

The Government of Canada has also launched the EcoAction web site (http://www.ecoaction.gc.ca/) which offers information about various actions being taken to address greenhouse gas emissions, manage chemical substances, foster environmentally-friendly agriculture practices, promote clean energy alternatives, and support green transportation initiatives.

Resources from Environment/Community/Business Sectors

Web sites representing various provincial, national and global environmental organizations, associations and foundations abound. Many of these groups involve community, government and business sectors. A partial selection of these sites is described below with a focus on groups operating in Alberta and Canada. Information about businesses that have been identified as environmental leaders in Alberta is also provided (see Alberta Emerald Foundation, and Alberta Environment: EnviroVista Environmental Leadership Program for more information).

Alberta EcoTrust
http://www.albertaecotrust.com/index.html

The Alberta Ecotrust Foundation, a strategic alliance of businesses, environmental groups and community members, builds partnerships to create sustainable environmental benefits in Alberta's communities. Twice a year, Alberta Ecotrust raises and distributes funds to registered non-profit organizations for grassroots projects. Of particular interest among the resources available on the EcoTrust web site are the Ecohome and Ecotrek informational pages.

• Ecohome ( http://www.albertaecotrust.com/ecohome/index.html ) describes the many features of a home that was designed to conserve energy and water, improve indoor air quality, minimize waste material and employ water-wise and non-toxic landscaping principles.
• Ecotrek (http://www.albertaecotrust.com/ecotrek/home.html), an environmental race held in September 2005, was designed to promote responsible recreation and environmental stewardship. A review of the race information and the gear required could be used to help students appreciate the principles of environmental stewardship and/or plan their own ecotreks.

Alberta Emerald Foundation
http://www.emeraldfoundation.ca/

The Alberta Emerald Foundation web site includes a fully searchable database of over 1,600 examples of environmental excellence. Some examples of 2006 Emerald Award recipients include:

• Lakeland College, whose Enviro Club students built a Sunfuel processor that converted used canola oil from the cafeteria into biodiesel which was then used in the college's combines, tractors and other machinery. Lakeland College students have become leaders in biodiesel education, with "how to" workshops for farmers, open houses, school tours, an exhibit and educational materials.
• Riverdale Elementary school created a native plant demonstration site and outdoor classroom where community and school shared and learned about sustainable landscapes. Teachers integrated curriculum in the naturescape classroom.
• Calibre Environmental obtained a contract to process the City of Calgary's post-consumer paint and began searching for alternatives for latex paints. In the first year, they saved 50,000 gallons of latex paint from incineration. Calibre continues to improve the viability of paint recycling and hopes to be an instrumental part of a future provincial paint stewardship program.

The expressed goal of the Foundation is for people and organizations around the province, and across the country, to learn from these examples, change their attitudes and behaviours and make environmental excellence an everyday occurrence.

Alberta Environment Network (AEN)
http://www.aenweb.ca/

The AEN is a non-profit, non-partisan umbrella organization dedicated to helping preserve and protect Alberta's environment. Membership in the AEN is open to any non-profit, non-governmental organization demonstrating sincere concern and action toward a healthier environment. The site offers environmental news, updates, and event information.

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS)
National: http://www.cpaws.org/

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is a grassroots non-profit wilderness protection organization that has helped protect over 40 million hectares of Canada's wild places. They focus on establishing new parks and making sure the needs of nature come first. CPAWS is chapter-driven, yet nationally focused with support from a diverse group of foundations and progressive companies and close to 20,000 members across the country. Educational resources offered by the two Alberta chapters are described below.

Clean Air Strategic Alliance (CASA)
http://www.casahome.org/ CASA, established in 1994, is a non-profit consensus-based association of senior representatives from government, industry and non-government organizations (including health and environment groups) who are committed to developing and applying a comprehensive air quality management system for Alberta. They also recommend strategies to assess and improve air quality in Alberta. A category search of the CASA library (http://www.casahome.org/?cat=5) reveals that the web site provides information about air quality, climate change, pollution prevention and more.

ClimateForChange.CA
http://climateforchange.ca/ Led by environmentalist John Bennet, the members of the ClimateforChange.ca organization including politicians, environmental leaders, former public servants and government aides, and experts in the field of communications are pursuing solutions to global warming - solutions that involve innovative, research-based approaches to media engagement, citizen mobilization and coalition building. Their vision is to realize a climate-friendly Canada that leads the world with its innovative, low-carbon economy and high quality of life. The Climate for Change web site provides information about the Kyoto Protocol (http://climateforchange.ca/Facts/Kyoto), global warming (http://climateforchange.ca/Facts/GlobalWarming), and sources of greenhouse gases ( http://climateforchange.ca/Facts/Canada ). It also suggests some actions that can be taken at home, at school (including teaching tips), at work and on the road to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (http://climateforchange.ca/Takeaction/Factsheets ). Additional local actions such as working with members of parliament, writing letters to editors, organizing community meetings, and signing moratoriums are discussed in some detail (http://climateforchange.ca/TakeAction). Note: More information about climate change can be found on the World Wildlife Fund - Climate Change web site at http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/climate_change/index.cfm.

David Suzuki Foundation
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/

Since 1990, the David Suzuki Foundation has been using science and education to promote solutions that conserve nature and help achieve sustainability with a focus on four program areas: oceans and sustainable fishing (http://www.davidsuzuki.org/Oceans/); climate change and clean energy (http://www.davidsuzuki.org/Climate_Change/); sustainability (see http://www.davidsuzuki.org/Economy/Sustainability/ and the report Sustainability within a Generation); and the Nature Challenge (http://www.davidsuzuki.org/NatureChallenge/). In addition to the wealth of information and activity suggestions found on this site, steps to slow climate change, protect our oceans, go carbon neutral, and reduce our personal impact are provided.

Earth Day Network (EDN)
http://www.earthday.net

Founded in 1970, the EDN promotes environmental citizenship and worldwide year-round progressive action. EDN's international network reaches over 15,000 organizations in 174 countries and helps over 100,000 educators coordinate millions of community development and environmental protection activities. More than a half billion people have participated in Earth Day campaigns every year. The EDN web site provides educational resources and materials that include: environmental fact sheets ( http://www.earthday.net/resources/materialsdownloads/default.aspx ); an online ecological footprint quiz ( http://www.earthday.net/footprint/index_reset.asp?pid=7360193144905418 ); tips on writing letters to the editor (http://www.earthday.net/resources/l2e.aspx ); information about ways to "green" your school (http://www.earthday.net/FINALGreenYourSchool.pdf); a climate change action tool kit ( http://www.earthday.net/resources/climatechange.aspx ); a set of online video clips about environmental tips ( http://www.earthday.net/resources/envtips/default.aspx ); and Earth Day organizing information ( http://www.earthday.net/resources/2006materials/EarthDay-in-a-Box.aspx ).

Environmental Law Centre (Alberta) Society (ELC)
https://www.elc.ab.ca/home/index.cfm

The ELC was formed and incorporated in Alberta in 1982 to provide Albertans with an objective source of information about environmental and natural resources law. ELC is now a registered charitable organization whose environmental law expertise and services are used across Canada by governments, industry, environmental organizations and members of the public. More information about the Centre can be learned by viewing the video at http://www.elc.ab.ca/contentfiles/index.html. The ELC web site provides information in the form of: fact sheets and frequently asked questions ( https://www.elc.ab.ca/faq/index.cfm ); web links to land conservation agencies, environmental organizations, government agencies, industry and associations (https://www.elc.ab.ca/links/index.cfm); publications (e.g., see the Community Action Materials at https://www.elc.ab.ca/faq/index.cfm); and law reforms briefs and submissions ( https://www.elc.ab.ca/briefs/index.cfm ). The Society also offers a range of services and programs including community-based education (see https://www.elc.ab.ca/services/index.cfm for more information).

Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC)
http://www.natureconservancy.ca

The NCC is a private, non-profit organization working for the protection of Canada's biodiversity through the purchase, donation or placing of conservation easements on ecologically significant lands. Their work is driven by a strong science agenda that helps to identify places across Canada in need of protection. In recent years, NCC has developed tools and expertise to ensure the long-term survival of Canada's plants, animals and natural ecosystems by developing conservation blueprints for each of Canada's eco-regions.

University of Alberta: Environmental Research and Studies Centre
http://www.ualberta.ca/~ersc/ http://www.ualberta.ca/~ersc/links.htm

The Environmental Research and Studies Centre acts as a coordination and information agency for the environmental research and studies programs at the University of Alberta. Its mission is to promote interdisciplinary, inter-University, and international environmental research. The Centre's web site offers a directory of researchers and environmental research conducted at the UofA. Currently, the featured site is What's Happening to Alberta's Water which provides information about the impacts of climate change, industry, agriculture, and urban sprawl on Alberta's water, and discusses the resulting loss in biodiversity (see http://www.ualberta.ca/ERSC/water/ for more information).

Western Canadian Wilderness Committee (WCWC) http://www.wildernesscommittee.org/

The Western Canada Wilderness Committee, founded in British Columbia in 1980, is the largest membership-based, citizen-funded wilderness preservation organization in Canada. The Committee has 30,000 members and an additional support base of 30,000 donors. They maintain offices in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario and have campaigned to successfully protect millions of hectares of Canadian wilderness in over 40 key wilderness areas. To learn more about the accomplishments of this organization see http://www.wildernesscommittee.org/org/history/. The site offers several resources including an archive of news releases, online videos (e.g., Save Lost Valley (2004); Working Forest (2004), Manning Clearcut Campout (2004), see http://www.wildernesscommittee.org/campaigns/Videos for additional titles), a calendar of public events, and a WCWC staff blog where personal stories, dialogue on current events, and talk about environmental issues is shared.

World Conservation Society (WCS) Canada
http://www.wcscanada.org/

As an information provider, WCS Canada supplies research that can be used as the basis for sound decision making. The results of their research projects have been published as conservation reports, working papers, peer-reviewed journal articles and numerous books some of which are downloadable (e.g., Mesocarnivores of Northeastern North America: Status and Conservation Issues. 2000; BIG ANIMALS and SMALL PARKS: Implications of Wildlife Distribution and Movements for Expansion of Nahanni National Park Reserve. 2006; Corridors for Conservation: Integrating Pattern and Process. 2006).