Áù¾ÅÉ«ÌÃ

About the project

An Îyârxe-Nakoda community member has partnered with a UCalgary faculty member who teaches International Indigenous Studies and a UCalgary International Indigenous Studies student to support Stoney-Nakoda youth involvement with the upcoming Mni Ki Wakan water summit. The goal is to hold the Mni Ki Wakan water summit in the Bow Valley in 2024.

The Mni Ki Wakan water summit will focus on the areas of:

• Water and Indigenous Knowledge
• Indigenous Water Justice
• Indigenous Water Governance
• Water Infrastructure
• Indigenous Water Innovations
• Water Sovereignty

Project leads

Information coming soon.Ìý

About the project

The project aims to raise awareness about climate-change initiatives by engaging racialized refugee and immigrant youth and community members as changemakers to increase awareness of the vital role agriculture and the soil play in the carbon cycle of the planet. At our community urban farm called the , we run workshops and educational programs based on our agroecological experiments. We will host storytelling forums to highlight both local and global Indigenous wisdom on building reciprocal relationships with the land. Many refugee and immigrant participants in this project are considered Indigenous in their homelands and have intergenerational wisdom and teachings to offer in working with the land. Through our project, we will mobilize global Indigenous wisdom toward climate actions that include fixing carbon in the soil and supporting ecosystem functioning such as water cycling and quality regulation, nutrient cycling, and biodiversity.

Project leads

• , PhD, associate professor in Learning Sciences at the Werklund School of Education
• Rod Olson, project manager at for the
• Dr. Tatenda Mambo, PhD, a postdoctoral scholar in the and an instructor in the Sustainability Studies Program
• , PhD, an associate professor in Environmental Science at Mount Royal University. Ìý

About the project

This project brings together knowledge experts from academia, government, the charitable sector and the Piikani First Nation to strengthen the capacity of the Piikani Nation to respond to climate change by monitoring key climate indicators identified by the Nation — sweetgrass and bison. By using Blackfoot traditional ways of monitoring (the Winter Count) and Western science, this project will increase understanding of the role of sweetgrass as a nature-based solution to climate change and build the community's capabilities for integrating bison into adaptation planning.

Project leads

• Dr. , PhD, professor and scientific director of Biological Sciences, UCalgary
• , president, ;
• The Piikani First Nation

About the project

This project will increase participants’ understanding of how watersheds and water quality are impacted by and respond to climate change and increase support for community-based water initiatives that address climate change. As part of UCalgary's Bow River Ecosystem Health Assessment and accredited aquatic monitoring training program, this project will train, assist and support students, water-stewardship and Indigenous communities in sampling aquatic ecosystems to identify how they are impacted by climate change. Participants will be trained and certified in the . To provide a more holistic understanding of the Bow River Basin and the impacts of climate change, the project team will create collaborative ethical learning spaces with local Indigenous communities to offer students and Indigenous communities land-based experiential learning opportunities focused on aquatic health, the impacts of climate change and community-based climate solutions.

Project leads

• PhD, assistant professor, Civil Engineering
• , PhD, research associate, Biological Sciences
• biomonitoring program manager,

About the project

Project will result in the development and distribution of a colouring book, designed by an emerging Indigenous student artist, for children that will increase public awareness of initiatives taking place at The Red Pony Stands which is an Indigenous-operated and owned farm. The project will utilize an art-based storytelling approach to teach children about the historical and cultural importance of this Indigenous breed of horse and sustainable farming practices, and to model mutually beneficial helping relationship between humans and the land. The approach effectively disrupts the socially constituted separation between humans and more-than-humans by shifting the paradigm towards an open discourse in environmentalism regarding the ethical implications for the care and agency of animals, and the natural world.Ìý

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Project leads

Dr. Adela Kincaid, International and Indigenous StudiesÌý

Angela McGinnis, Director The Red Pony Stands & International Indigenous StudiesÌý

About the project

This project will train students, faculty and staff at Áù¾ÅÉ«Ìà (SCPA), as well as community members in the performance sector on how to use established green tools to reduce the carbon emissions of the performing arts sector in southern Alberta and create new pathways forward to be a regenerative industry that implements sustainable productions.

Project leads

• , associate professor of drama; PhD, SCPA director
• , PhD, professor of dance
• , associate professor of Ecological Design for Performance at  in Toronto and co-founder and director of the  .Ìý

About the project

This program awarded 10, $2,000 climate action grants. Awardees participated in a climate leadership and networking program called Climate Partners where they received mentorship and support in developing their micro-climate action grant applications. Awardees were also connected to The Arusha Centre's broader climate action network in Calgary by participating in the climate events that Arusha hosts for the City of Calgary and public, and in climate events hosted in partnership with the Áù¾ÅÉ«ÌÃ.Ìý

Project leads

• Gerald Wheatly, Manager The Arusha Centre and Adjunct Professor with the Faculty of Social WorkÌý
• Mike Byerley, Director of The Regeneration Learning SocietyÌýÌý

About the project

seeks to help the Bow Valley community accelerate its work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Led by a collective impact approach, action groups made up of community leaders and businesses influencers, not-for-profits, community, and municipal governments will create new, or enhance existing, community-based climate initiatives in the Bow Valley — from Lake Louise to Mînî Thnî. Students will join these action groups to provide research support that will give them the capacity to implement projects that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their respective industries.

Project leads

• ,Ìýcommunications and engagement strategist with theÌý(BIBV)
• , executive director, BIBV
• , PhD,ÌýProfessor Emerita,ÌýHaskayne School of Business, UCalgary

About the project

This is a two-year project that aims to create a climate action podcast and radio series. The project brings together students and researchers with community members who are engaged in climate action initiatives in southern Alberta. The project brings together multiple partners including the Faculty of Social Work, radio, (TFEL) partnership, and the . The goal of this project is to increase awareness and promote public participation, and access to information on climate action. The project will create 10 podcast episodes.

Project leads

• , PhD, professor in the Faculty of Social Work, UCalgary
• Dr. Saleema Salima, postdoctoral associate in the Faculty of Social Work, UCalgary
• , training and mentorship co-ordinator with TFEL, UCalgary
• , field educator with the Faculty of Social Work, UCalgary
• ,Ìýpostdoctoral research associate at theÌýFaculty of Social Work, UCalgary
• , podcast co-ordinator atÌýCJSW

About the project

This project aims to increase climate focused awarenessÌýandÌýaction in Calgary's lower-income communities facing energy poverty. Energy poverty occurs when households are unable to afford adequate heating or cooling for their homes. Culturally appropriate education is offered through 20 workshopsÌýandÌýwill provide 200-250 households support on topics such as how to read utility bills, energy consumption in homes,ÌýandÌýlow- to no-cost methods of reducing bills. Importantly, these workshops serve as a crucial component of ’s wraparound services for participants, easing their access to the in Calgary. The Home Upgrades Program is Alberta’s first holistic upgrades program specifically designed using an equity lens to address energy poverty through no-cost deep energy upgrades for participants. Create Climate Equity’s fulsome approach ensures that households not only receive educationÌýandÌýawareness, but also have a clear pathway to participate in the Home Upgrades Program.

Project leads

• , PhD, associate professor in the Department of Economics and School of Public Policy
• , PhD, associate professor of Economics
• , director of Create Climate Equity.

About the project

This project aims to empower Bangladeshi youth aged 18-29 in Calgary with knowledge and skills to understand climate change issues and inspire them through stories that reflect their unique perspectives to take climate action.Ìý This research project will engage the youth in Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) on climate change, host a youth summit to increase awareness and action, and will collect and amplify personal culturally relevant stories using multimedia to share stories of resilience, community-led initiatives, and environmental justice victories. UCalgary post-secondary students will collaborate with faculty and community partners to design the youth engagement opportunities and mentor the youth in climate awareness and action. This project fosters positive connections, broadens conversations by addressing intersectionality of climate change impacts and on immigrants lived experiences status and underscores the importance of their perspectives and involvement in climate action.ÌýÌý

Project leads

• Professor, Family MedicineÌý
• Director, Foundation for the Voice of Immigrants in Canada for EmpowermentÌý

About the project

Green Calgary’s Spill the Beans (STB) program is a dynamic, community-centered food education initiative that addresses food insecurity and the climate crisis through the principles of the circular economy. In collaboration with post-secondary students from COMS 477, we aim to expand the program’s reach and impact. These students will leverage their communication skills to develop educational tools and resources that address barriers to program access. Our key audiences include immigrants and newcomers to Calgary who may lack familiarity with local food systems and struggle with food security. This collaboration will not only enhance the STB program but also provide students with experiential learning opportunities. They will develop competencies in civic consciousness, social responsibility, communication, collaboration, and teamwork, preparing them for future careers while making a tangible difference in the community.Ìý

Project leads

• , Communications, Media and Film & Academic Lead, Office of Experiential LearningÌý
• Louise Bwandiga, Green CalgaryÌýÌý

About the project

The Microbial Fuel Cell Olympics (MFC Olympics) is an experiential educational program led by Justin and Aaron Tan, two high school students motivated to tackle eco-anxiety among youths, enhanced by partnering with Dr. Irene Herremans (Natures’ Ride) and Dr. Marc Strous (Áù¾ÅÉ«ÌÃ). Using a Microbial Fuel Cell to generate electricity from microbes present in ordinary garden soil, this program inspires Grade 1 to 9 students to learn about sustainability and renewable energy. It encourages youth to develop a sense of agency, advocating for collaborative and constructive actions that adopts proven scientific methodologies. Besides having fun and participating in friendly competitions, participants will be sharing their new knowledge with their local community too. Through the Mobilizing Alberta Climate Action Grant, the program is expanding and engaging Áù¾ÅÉ«Ìà students for multi-faceted operational activities like leading hands-on workshops, facilitating climate change discussions, financial management, and overall program marketing. Ìý

Project leads

Aaron and Justin Tan, Youth Reps of Nature’s RideÌý

Professor of Faculty of Science and NSERC Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in GeomicrobiologyÌý

, Executive Director of Nature’s RideÌý

About the project

This biomimicry challenge isÌýaÌýcollaborative, community-based design challenge that communities and K-12 schools can implement with the guidance of a nature-inspired design tool kit created by UCalgary students and the project team.ÌýThe open-access tool kit will include guides and collaborative activitiesÌýthat willÌýintroduce southern Alberta’s species through diverse perspectives;Ìýteach what we can learn from these species; how we can apply this to sustainable city, material and process design; and share how participants can apply these learnings in their schools and neighbourhoods to advance climate action and sustainability.ÌýThe black-capped chickadee is Calgary’s official bird and one of many species that thrive in southern Alberta. Chickadees and other local organisms can serve as models for how we can live more sustainably and design our cities to reverse climate change.

Project leads

• , PhD, Professor, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
• , PhD,ÌýAssociate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences
• , PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering
• , Executive Director,

About the project

Students with the Schulich School of Engineering and the Calgary Climate Hub (CCH) will empower younger generations through programming, visualization tools, and workshops to learn about climate change issues and solutions in Southern Alberta. CCH will educate youth on benefits of tiny forests, water conservation and sustainable agriculture. The post-secondary students will facilitate an 8-week software engineering program to educate the youth on how to create digital education tools to share this knowledge with other youth and broader communities.ÌýÌý

Project leads

• , Associate Prof, Electrical and Software EngineeringÌý
• , Executive Director Calgary Climate HubÌý

About the project

This project is a five-day experiential learning course that educates UCalgary students on the critical role the grasslands contribute to carbon sequestration and combatting the impacts of climate change. The students will learn about the vital importance of grassland ecosystems from multiple knowledge systems by engaging with Indigenous, local, and scientific community members. As part of the experiential learning course, the students will create digital stories to share their reflections and learnings through CPAWS’ Change Makers website to local and national audiences to help increase support for protecting grasslands.

Project leads

• Faculty of Anthropology and ArchaeologyÌý
• , Outreach Manager CPAWSÌý

About the project

This project focused on researching and raising awareness to the impact of climate change on birds in Alberta. This project consisted of analysing data collected by AIWC from 2014, collecting and analyzing field data this season, rehabilitating affected birds, designing a future research project for AWIC related to climate change and the impact it has on birds in AB. The trends indicate that heat waves and the changing climate has impacted bird nesting and survival.

Project leads

• , International and Indigenous StudiesÌý
• , Director, Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC)

About the project

This project supports the social innovation lab that is building supportive infrastructure necessary to accelerate adoption rates of in Alberta to advance climate action, support regenerative-practice uptake, and build long-term resilience in and for Alberta communities.ÌýThe Regenerative Agriculture Lab (RAL) is a community-based collaborative platform allowing actors both up and downstream in the food/agriculture value chain to incubate, test, and explore ideas, policies and programs that support the transition to a more regenerative agriculture sector and food system.ÌýAs RAL moves into Phase 3 of this multi-year project, its team will work with a UCalgary research student to engage RAL participants in co-creating a research project focused on exploring and understanding the business case for regenerative agriculture, with a view to spotlighting the economic outcomes of this system.Ìý

Project leads

• , associate professor, Haskayne School of Business, Entrepreneurship Innovation and Sustainable Development
• director and podcast Host, Rural Routes to Climate Solutions
• project manager, Rural Routes to Climate Solutions.

About the project

The purpose of this projectÌýis to build seed stock that can thrive and adapt to climate change and that is freely available to all. Climate change impacts the growing conditions in southern Alberta, and seed libraries are an important community-based strategy for climate action because they contain local genetic diversity that is often adapted to prevailing climate conditions including biotic stresses. This project will collaborate with community groups to exchange knowledge on this topic, empower diverse communities to contribute to food and seed sovereignty to advance climate action, and support community wellness through inclusive and regenerative community-building practices.ÌýÌý

Project leads

• Associate Professor ofÌý;Ìý
• Shelby Montgomery, Founder,Ìý

About the project

This project aims to provide a platform to highlight the sustainability practices of the Southern Alberta agriculture industry. Working alongside Dr. Ed Pajor from UCalgarys Veterinary School and UCalgary Students from various departments we will co-create videos highlighting Agricultural practices in Southern Alberta. The Leading sustainable agriculture practices we are going to highlight are reducing greenhouse gas emissions and developing more resilient ecosystems that can adapt to a changing climate. We will then co-create learning materials and lesson plans to accompany these videos which will be utilized in the Stampede Education programs and the WA Ranch Education Program. UCalgary Students will play a key role in the development of this project and will learn the multidisciplinary skills required to develop a multimedia product for the general public and educational context.Ìý

Project lead

• Professor Faculty of Vet MedicineÌý
• Austin Lang, Manager Calgary StampedeÌý