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Resilient Rurals recognizes the power and potential of small and rural communities to foster resilience and advance climate adaptation solutions. View Projects Discover Resources Connect The Resilient Rurals Model Over 6 million Canadians live in rural areas, which are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change while faced with greater resource restrictions and financial limitations. We are responding to these unique challenges directly and in partnership with the communities most affected with a first-if-its-kind small and rural community climate adaptation model. Regional Collaboration Rural communities are hubs of ingenuity. Our model centers diverse regional partnerships to collectively address the significant and unequal vulnerabilities to climate change. By bringing together unique perspectives and sets of resources, we can effectively address regional challenges. Holistic Approach Small and rural communities are adaptable. But, it is essential for commitments to make a tangible difference in the lives of residents. A whole-picture approach to resilience allows for creative solutions to real problems, ensuring measurable results for those who matter most - the people who live there. By and For Small Towns Trust needs to be earned. Resilient Rurals was started by small towns specifically to meet small-town needs. We understand rural communities face challenges and will work with you to address your community's priorities in an impactful way. Latest Stories Harvesting Perspectives of a Resilient Food Future Food For Thought Native Plant Tools to Support Nature-Based Solutions Resource Hub Adaptation & Resilience Guides Social Media Toolkit Information Library Adaptation Measures Home & Property External Resource Directory Funding provided by: Resilient Rurals participated in the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre’s Climate Resilience Capacity Building Program , which serves to enable Alberta communities to better understand and respond to the impacts of climate change. We extend a huge thanks to the Action Centre and its partners, Alberta Municipalities, Rural Municipalities of Alberta, and the Government of Alberta for championing critical climate adaptation work across Albertan communities of all sizes and in all stages of climate-readiness. We would also like to thank ClimateWest for their Adaptation in Action Program , which enables Resilient Rurals to take the next step in our journey. Our funders have played a critical role in supporting our development into a non-profit tailored towards supporting small and rural communities in Canada. Learn about the Adaptation in Action Program

Severe Wind Warning In most of Alberta, a Severe Wind Warning is given for winds expected to reach at least 70 km/h, or gust at least 90 km/h Key Vulnerable Populations: Anyone who has reduced mobility due to a disability or other factors Who Else May Be Vulnerable? Other vulnerable groups can include people who live in sub-standard housing conditions, and people whose job requires working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions. If you know someone who may belong to one of these groups, we encourage you to reach out to them, and share this information. How Does A Severe Wind Warning Impact Me? Severe Wind Warnings can cause injury, property damage, and/or make it difficult to operate a vehicle or machinery. It is important to secure loose items, such as patio/deck chair, garbage cans, etc. in order to prevent them from becoming potentially dangerous flying objects. Resilient Rurals Severe Wind Warning Resources: Collection: Safeguarding Your Property, Risks, and Staying Safe For more Resilient Rurals Resources visit the Resource Hub Additional Resources Tornadoes and extreme winds (Government of Alberta) Click here to check out more Rural Assist Program resources

< Back to Rural Showcase Beaver Hills Biosphere - The Role Our Local Biosphere Plays in Regional Resilience Spotted with hundreds of wetlands, lakes and streams, and home to diverse wildlife and native plants, the Beaver Hills Biosphere is a hub of nature and culture just east of Edmonton. The region was recognized by UNESCO in 2016 as a biodiverse and culturally significant site, and since 2019, the Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve Association works to ensure these invaluable systems continue to flourish. Alberta is home to two of Canada’s 19 biospheres—Waterton Biosphere Reserve and Beaver Hills Biosphere. Fortunately for us, our Resilient Rurals partner communities live right next door to the beautiful Beaver Hills. We sat down with Brian Ilnicki, Executive Director of the Beaver Hills Biosphere, to learn more about the role of a biosphere in bringing nature and people together. “At a high level, a biosphere is a learning place for sustainable development. It gives people an opportunity to explore living and working in harmony with nature, but it's not just about setting aside land or becoming a protected area. The Beaver Hills is a region the community has determined is important. The Beaver Hills Biosphere is the result of people coming together to help provide local solutions to local issues or pursue opportunities in this important region. We focus on conserving and enhancing biodiversity, and we also work to enhance cultural diversity.” Beaver Hills: Where nature, community and industry live in harmony The Beaver Hills Biosphere is a 1600 km2 region east of Edmonton. It covers portions of five rural municipalities—Lamont County, Strathcona County, Leduc County, Beaver County and Camrose County. Among these counties are many small towns and villages, and a variety of industries fairly typical of Central Alberta. Land in the Biosphere has been developed for agricultural crops and livestock, as well as for a variety of oil and gas extraction and transport activities. Land has also been set aside for protection. For example, Elk Island National Park, Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Recreation Area and Miquelon Lake Provincial Park serve as centrepieces of the region’s vast ecological network. Land trusts, including Edmonton and Area Land Trust and Nature Conservancy of Canada, are also actively at work tending various conservation properties within the Biosphere. The Role of the Beaver Hills Biosphere Association One of the key functions of a biosphere is to support collaboration. Brian explains that the Association does this by helping to convene key stakeholders around specific environmental or cultural issues, like environmental change, land reclamation or tourism, and to look for opportunities to generate applied research and shared knowledge that can inform decisions that offer local solutions to global challenges. “We do a lot, but we’re also cautious of duplicating the effort of others. That’s a tenant of our organizational ethos—if others are doing work in the Biosphere, we won’t duplicate it, but we will help to make connections in support of that work.” So, for example, although the Association isn’t in the business of securing land, they will assist other organizations to do so. Similarly, if municipal representatives and policy writers need assistance with policy writing, the Association will facilitate integral connections. “Inclusive engagement is one of the Biosphere’s guiding principles. By bringing people together around common issues and having a conversation, we aim to establish a shared knowledge network that works collaboratively to address these issues.” Pastures and rolling hills are characteristic features of the Biosphere How does maintaining and restoring natural ecosystems in the Biosphere support climate adaptation and resilience? Ecosystem services are those seemingly simple processes nature provides that we may or may not take for granted. They include providing clean air, clean water, sequestering carbon, and sheltering wildlife habitat. Brian, together with the Association team, is raising awareness of the value of these services to communities and industry in the Biosphere. “What we’re trying to do is make community members, decision makers and elected officials aware that the region’s natural assets, like wetlands or native stands of spruce or aspen forest, or grasslands, all play a role in supporting their needs.” What climatic changes are happening in the Biosphere? Today, the Biosphere is roughly 2°C warmer than it was 100 years ago, and early trend forecasting predicts temperatures will continue to increase. Scientists studying the area are also forecasting precipitation forms will change—the region may not see as much snowfall for example, but more extreme spring and summer rain events. Wetlands and surface ponds: built-in flood mitigators Maintaining surface water and wetland features within the Biosphere will be critically important for regional climate adaptation. Wetlands not only support biodiversity, but they also play a key role in ground water recharge and reducing flood risks. As precipitation continues to change in the Biosphere, and as more extreme precipitation events occur, well-maintained wetlands will help to reduce flooding and the associated damage to infrastructure. The value of restoring riparian areas for climate mitigation A riparian area is essentially the interface between a natural water body, like a stream, wetland or lake, and dry land. These areas are dense with biodiversity and vegetation that soaks up water like a sponge. The Biosphere is covered in these habitats, and Brian explains communities need riparian areas intact to help minimize climate impacts. The Association is focusing on mapping riparian and wetland areas, identifying losses, and restoring damaged areas. Brian explains it’s important to understand what the natural ecosystems and features are and how they’ve changed over the last 50 years. “Whether it’s been wetland loss or drainage, industrial development, clearing of native habitats that has impacted the landscape…we look at potential ways to restore these systems so they can help mitigate negative climate change impacts.” The Biodiversity Trail in Strathcona County is a landmark destination for those interested in an immersive ecological experience “Committed people working together for a sustainable region, through shared initiatives and collaborative action” - Beaver Hills Biosphere In a region bursting with diverse interests, stories, ecologies, industries and people, the Biosphere applies its collaborative and inclusive approach to identify common threads around various needs and opportunities. Together, with its regional partners, the Biosphere has developed a number of initiatives to address these needs and opportunities to build a more sustainable and resilient region. A handful of ways they are doing so include: providing data for decision-making supporting applied research raising awareness of local Indigenous stories and history identifying opportunities for nature-based tourism Providing Data for Decision-making The Association hosts an internal data sharing portal, which can be used by municipal planners, environmental departments, agricultural fieldmen and conservation coordinators throughout the Biosphere to inform their decisions. The portal’s databases store information about various environmental features of the Biosphere, like the location of surface water or riparian areas. For example, if a developer presents a project proposal to a municipality in the Biosphere, municipal staff can reference the available data as they determine whether or not to approve the proposal or require changes. The Association recently completed a landsat-based inventory of all the surface water in the Biosphere. The inventory offers answers to many common questions municipalities and industry have as they consider development and other opportunities: Where are all the wetlands? Where have wetlands been negatively impacted through drainage? Where are all the surface water features? Where are the native habitat blocks and how do they connect to Elk Island National Park or Miquelon Lake Provincial Park? The Biosphere offers the public a glimpse of some of that data through its online StoryMap that harnesses the power of maps to provide another way to view and understand the complexity of the Beaver Hills landscape and why it is so important. Supporting Applied Research The Association also supports the applied research of a variety of academic institutions with its primary partner being the University of Alberta’s Augustana Campus. Much of the research coming from this relationship explores what drives the Biosphere’s environmental cycles. While these studies have an obvious environmental and biodiversity focus, they also incorporate the interests of the community to support long-term sustainability and resilience. Raising Awareness of Local Indigenous Stories and History Another significant piece of the Biosphere’s efforts that can inform decision making and opportunities in the region is the deep and lasting relationships between the landscape and local Indigenous Peoples. “We’re aware that, historically, the Beaver Hills has been very important to and has had a strong First Nations and Métis presence. We are working diligently to ensure that history is acknowledged and Indigenous perspectives are present within the work of the Biosphere” The Association is doing this in several ways. A dedicated team member of the Association is responsible for Indigenous engagement and has been building relationships with people, communities and organizations for the last two years. “We’re working to understand the role we can play to help tell the stories and how we can assist reconnection between Indigenous people and the land.” A series of video vignettes about the Biosphere’s early history have been commissioned by the Association, and these videos are bringing to life the relatively unknown, yet rich Indigenous history of the Beaver Hills. Explore the vignette videos about the Biosphere's history . The Biosphere also offers an Indigenous book club that gives people the opportunity to learn more about and discuss Indigenous ways of knowing and traditional ecological knowledge. Visit the club web page to see what they are reading right now and get involved. Identifying Opportunities for Tourism Municipalities in the Biosphere are highly interested in generating tourism in the area, and Brian explained there’s a big movement by the Alberta Government to support tourism in the region. Currently, his team is working with regional tourism operators and provincial tourism experts to define what their role will be in growing the local tourism industry. “We’re envisioning an all-encompassing, nature-based tourism strategy that would include sport-based tourism, Indigenous-based tourism, as well as promoting local food producers and cultural sites like the Ukrainian Village.” The Association plans to develop tourism support programs to connect experts with vendors. He gives an example, “Someone may run a bird watching company that brings people out to the Biosphere regularly. We’d connect them with others who have similar interests and knowledge to help support their endeavours.” Thank you again to Brian, for offering us insight into the important ecological, cultural and social work underway in the Beaver Hills Biosphere. Keep up with what's happening in the Beaver Hills and find opportunities to get involved on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram Previous Next Introducing Rural Showcase... A dynamic network of resilience leaders are working in and among rural communities across Canada. Resilient Rurals' Rural Showcase highlights the prominent champions channelling their expertise and passion to empower rural communities, advance climate adaptation and enhance the local environment. Connect with local leaders, hear their stories and learn from their expertise.

Different Approaches to Regaining Control Over Our Food The module will cover how our health is affected when food becomes insecure, and the influences on food insecurity in Indigenous and rural communities. Finally, it will highlight how small communities can target food insecurity using real-world examples from Alberta. Next Home Transcription & Notes 0:00 Welcome to Module 5: Different Approaches to Regaining Control Over Our Food. In this module, we outline why there is a need to build sovereignty into our food systems, and the ways in which any of us can start this journey. 0:22 100 years ago, it was fairly normal to grow your own backyard garden and source your food from relatively local markets. If something was out of season in your area, you usually had to wait for the growing season to return or make use of preserves. Thanks to globalisation and new growing technologies, this is no longer the case. We now have access to bananas, tomatoes, and bell peppers year-round, as well as produce many of us in Canada may not have heard of such as okra, daikon, bitter melon, and chayote squash. 0:57 Access to a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, as well as affordable meat, eggs, and dairy products, is not a bad thing, but relying on international exports comes with risks. In Module 1, we explored how our food system is vulnerable to natural and man-made disasters. Flood, drought, and other disasters globally can impact whether or not food is even available for international trade. Additionally, war and disease can significantly disrupt trade networks. Further, in Modules 2 and 3, we explored how rural and Indigenous food systems are even more vulnerable due to their distances from urban centres, smaller populations, and lack of services. Localised disruptions, such as washed out roads or multi-day blizzards can dramatically impact the availability and quality of food in these communities. 1:56 Luckily, many individuals and communities are making strides in regaining ownership over their food systems. 2:05 For example, Rural Routes to Climate Solutions is an agriculturally based non-profit that connects farmers to regenerative agriculture solutions (1). Regenerative agriculture is an approach to farming that aims to improve the land you are working (1). Strategies, such as using cover crops, inter-cropping, and rotational grazing, seek to protect the land from erosion, balance nutrient absorption with nutrient building, and reduce overuse (1). Intercropping, for example, is a strategy whereby several different crops are planted together, which diversifies the nutrients pulled from the soil and contributes to biodiversity (1). This strategy supports carbon sequestration, which results in healthier soil, plants, and pollinators (1). Not only does a farmer’s yield increase, but they contribute to land stewardship and climate mitigation (1). 3:02 Permaculture is similar, although often operates on a smaller scale than regenerative agriculture. It too seeks to work with the natural environment to improve soil health and biodiversity (2). Further, permaculture is a holistic approach to community building that protects against erosion, supports natural water purification, grows food for oneself and community, and limits waste materials (2). It thrives on diversity and a circular economy, whereby materials are used until they can be returned to the earth. 3:39 There are times, however, where the soil we live and work on is not suitable for growing food due to previous land uses or pollution. Urban gardens and container gardening offer a solution to these limitations and can allow for gardening even in small spaces. In Red Deer, the Common Ground Garden Project is an initiative which is repurposing a former Electric, Light & Power site for a community garden (3). This space is interactive, moveable, and educational, and operates as a space of learning, growing, and relationship-building (3). In their recent harvest supper, the Common Ground Garden Project team fed over 160 community members in order to raise awareness of their efforts (3). 4:29 Even small steps can pave the way for food sovereignty. Whether you have a front lawn or a balcony that can be converted for food growing, or you move to support local producers, we can all play a role in strengthening our local food system. 4:44 To learn more about the different ways we can pursue food sovereignty, check out our list of videos: Rural Routes to Climate Solutions - Podcast Verge Permaculture - Mini-Documentary About the Avis Urban Permaculture Homestead Common Ground Garden Project Alberta Urban Garden The Self-Sufficiency Garden GROW: An Indigenous Food Sovereignty Story World Famous Permaculture Property Tour Regenerative Agriculture on a Small Scale Tea Creek Farm - Indigenous Owned and Operated 4:51 You can also check out our references to learn more about food sovereignty and climate adaptation strategies in the food system. Thank you for joining us for Module 5. Different Approaches to Regaining Control Over Our Food Transcription and Slides Transcript PDF References Resilient Rurals. (2022). Rural Routes To Climate Solutions: Why More Farmers Are Taking The Road Less Travelled. https://www.resilientrurals.com/rural-showcase/rural-routes-to-climate-solutions%3A-why-more-farmers-are-taking-the-road-less-travelled. Verge Permaculture. (2023). What is Permaculture? https://vergepermaculture.ca/what-is-permaculture/. Rethink Red Deer. (2024). Common Ground Garden Project. https://rethinkreddeer.ca/commonground. Back Next

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< Back to Communities Lamont CITY LIVING, COUNTRY STYLE Lamont is home to 1,774 residents and lies at the east edge of Alberta's Industrial Heartland. Learn more: www.lamont.ca 2019 - 2022 Strategic Plan Lamont's Alberta HUB Community Profile Follow Lamont on

External Resource Directory Locate climate data and reports, explore training materials, connect with regional climate service providers, and discover organizations revolutionizing the climate landscape with their innovative offerings. Data Climate Reports Climate Service Providers Municipal Tools Training Legislation Climate Data and Data Visualization A Guide to Finding Climate Information & Data (ClimateWest) T his guide offers a collection of credible sources for accessing free climate data. Its emphasis is on the information needs of the Prairie provinces in Canada and provides an overview of where to find different forms of data, as well as basic guidance on using climate information for risk management and adaptation planning. Climate Atlas of Canada T he Climate Atlas of Canada combines climate science, mapping, and storytelling to bring the global issue of climate change closer to home for Canadians. It is designed to inspire local, regional, and national action that will let us move from risk to resilience. Indigenous Climate Change Maps (Climate Atlas of Canada) A new Indigenous map layer for the Climate Atlas of Canada provides data for 634 First Nations and 53 Inuit communities from coast to coast to coast, as well as climate projects across the Métis homeland. Climate Data Canada High-resolution climate data to help decision-makers build a more resilient Canada. Explore data visualizations by location, variable, and sector. Climate Change in the Prairies An ArcGIS Story Map of climate change in the Canadian Prairies. Alberta Climate Records Through this application, you can explore climate changes and averages for 6,834 10-by-10 km squares in Alberta for 52 climate indices based on historical records between 1951 - 2017 and three future projections for 2041 - 2070. Climate Reports and Where to Find Them National Assessment: Canada in a Changing Climate: Advancing our Knowledge for Action Canada in a Changing Climate is the national assessment, conducted by Natural Resources Canada, of how and why the country’s climate is changing. Visit the assessment’s landing page to find all four reports of the assessment, as well as an advanced synthesis. Canada in a Changing Climate: Regional Perspectives Report (Government of Canada, 2022) Led by Natural Resources Canada, this report provides regional perspectives from Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Ontario, the Prairie Provinces and British Columbia on how climate change is impacting communities, local environments and economies, and case studies for how communities can and are adapting. Alberta's Climate Future Final Report (Government of Alberta, 2019) This report summarizes observed climatic changes across Canada and Alberta. It briefly discusses the causes of climate change and the methodology for the detection and causal attribution of long-term trends and changes in the frequency or intensity of extreme events. The Costs of Climate Change: A Series of Five Reports (Canadian Climate Institute) This series of reports outlines dollar by dollar how proactive adaptation can reduce the severe and significant economic losses that a changing climate threatens. The reports quantify hidden costs in infrastructure damages, strain on public health and healthcare systems, and losses in various sectors. Building a Climate-Resilient City Rep ort Series (Prairie Climate Centre) ‘From risk to resilience’ is the Prairie Climate Centre’s slogan, and their series of reports, Building a Climate-Resilient City, is designed to support this transition, outlining steps that cities can take to engage in climate risk management from the areas of transportation, agriculture, electricity infrastructure, disaster preparedness and emergency management. Climate Atlas of Canad a and Climate Data Canada In addition to offering data visualizations and downloadable file sets, these organizations go the extra mile to maximize the impact of their data. They supplement the data with compelling stories and reports that effectively convey the insights and narratives the data is showing us. Canadian Climate Institute Find numerous blog posts and publications that demonstrate in detail the need for proactive adaptation action and are solutions-focused. National and Regional Climate Service Providers The Canadian Centre for Climate Services Part of Environment and Climate Change Canada in the Government of Canada. ClimateWest (Prairie region) Accurate, timely, and accessible data is critical for making informed decisions. Drawing on the guidance of its three founding partner organizations (Prairie Climate Centre, the International Institute for Sustainable Development, and the Prairies Regional Adaptation Collaborative), ClimateWest understands the Prairies need tailored climate solutions. CLIMAtlantic (Atlantic region) CLIMAtlantic facilitates access to data and information that supports adaptation to climate change in Atlantic Canada through collaboration, networking, and partnerships. Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium (Pacific and Yukon region) PCIC is a regional climate service centre at the University of Victoria that provides practical information on the physical impacts of climate variability and change in the Pacific and Yukon regions of Canada. Ouranos (Québec) Ouranos is a collaborative innovation hub enabling Quebec society to better adapt to an evolving climate. Prairies Adaptation Res earch Collaborative The Prairies Adaptation Research Collaborative works to increase the capacity of the Canadian Prairies to prepare for the impacts of climate change. The Prairie Climate Centre The Centre brings an evidence-based perspective to communicating the science, impacts, and risks of climate change through maps, documentary video, research reports, and plain-language training, writing, and outreach. Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources By incorporating Western and Indigenous Knowledge, CIER has created a set of unique resources designed to empower First Nations communities to take climate action. The organization offers publications, workshops, and resources for capacity-building and action-taking. Legislation Climate Change Legislation in Alberta Climate change acts and regulations, including renewable standards and specified reporting. Environmental Law Centre - Climate Change and the Law The Environmental Law Centre (ELC) encourages all Albertans to consider how governments, industry, communities and individuals can assist with adapting to climate change. Training Adaptation Resilience Training Program - Open Access Webinars The Adaptation Resilience Training (ART) program has developed an Alberta-focused set of introductory sessions for core climate change topics and climate change as it relates to certain areas of professional practice. The intent of this program is to help professionals working in Alberta develop a basic awareness of climate change adaptation and build capacity to integrate adaptation into their professional practice. Think Re silience Think Resilience is an online course to help you start doing something about climate change and our other sustainability challenges—starting in your own community. Guide: Municipal climate change staff This guide, created by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, is designed to support climate professionals in their first year working in related positions in a municipality. Municipal Tools All One Sky Foundation AOS plans, researches and collaborates with communities to identify priority areas for adaptation and offers equitable solutions. The organization offers capacity-building and educational sessions for governments, businesses and other organizations. Ada ptaction.ca A printable, linked resource to help you track your progress on implementing climate resilience strategies. ICLEI Canada ICLEI Canada works with a wide variety of stakeholders from across government, industry, academia and the NGO community to build more sustainable, low-carbon, energy-efficient, climate-ready communities. Municipal Climate Change Action Centre The Municipal Climate Change Action Centre is a partnership of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association and the Rural Municipalities of Alberta. The Centre offers one-on-one advisory services, as well as webinars, workshops, and other support to help municipalities reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Federation of Canadian Municipalities The national voice for Canada's local governments. Municipal Climate Action Hub A community of practice supporting municipalities for climate innovation. Rural Development Network SevGen Consulting QUESTCanada ALUS Canada Alberta Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources Beaver Hills Biosphere Rural Mental Health Network Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute Rural Routes to Climate Solutions Alberta Centre for Sustainable Rural Communities Rural Mental Health Network Grants • Alberta-Based • Community Projects • Capacity Building The Rural Mental Health Network and its associated Rural Mental Health Project is designed to facilitate connections, engagement, and collaboration among rural communities in Alberta regarding mental health and wellbeing. This initiative enhances their ability to address mental health issues, manage challenges, and foster community resilience. The project, managed by the Alberta Division of the Canadian Mental Health Association, offers grant funding opportunities to communities and individuals. These grants, available in the forms of micro-grants, community grants, and multi-community grants, support the implementation of projects ranging from small-scale to highly complex. By supporting communities, the initiative enables them to identify their specific needs, devise local solutions, and strengthen their capacities. Visit Website Contact Rural Development Network Capacity Building • Consulting Services • Community Projects • Program Offerings The Rural Development Network advocates for rural voices across the Canada, focusing on development and service provision to address rural-specific issues. Some of their areas of expertise include affordable housing provision, homelessness, community revitalization, wellness promotion, and agricultural literacy. With a team that possesses extensive experience and a wide range of partners across the country, the network has its finger on the pulse of opportunities for rural communities and residents. Beyond that, they continue to develop new initiatives to meet the evolving needs of rural areas. Visit Website Contact Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources Indigenous Knowledge • Community Projects • Capacity Building • Resources • Advisory Services • Program Offerings CIER collaborates with First Nation, Métis, and Inuit Councils and communities, municipal and federal governments, foundations, non-government organizations, and universities to develop environmental capacity within Indigenous communities. Their primary focus is on working closely with these communities, providing education, conducting research, and developing skills to address local challenges. CIER engages in a reciprocal learning process with Indigenous communities, offering resources and facilitating connections to support their goals. T heir comprehensive support includes project management and coordination, community, youth, and elder engagement, non-Indigenous stakeholder engagement and partnership building, Indigenous knowledge, mapping, and language studies, community-based monitoring, workshop facilitation, strategic advising for strengthening Indigenous governance, research services, and fund development and funder relations. Visit Website Contact ALUS Canada Agriculture • Ecological Services • Community Projects • Partnership ALUS Canada is dedicated to supporting the implementation of environmental stewardship projects nationwide. Currently, the organization has established a network of over 1,600 farmers and ranchers in 38 communities. Together, locals collaborate on initiatives aimed at ecological restoration and protection, specifically targeting ecosystem services that help mitigate climate change. ALUS coordinators achieve this by partnering with farmers and ranchers to implement various alternative land-use projects. These projects focus on restoring wetlands, reforesting areas, and enhancing pollinator habitats. The result is an improved production capacity of the land, benefiting both the environment and the producers. Visit Website Contact QUESTCanada Energy • Consulting Services • Events • Membership • Community Projects QUEST Canada is a national non-profit, championing energy innovation and climate change mitigation to accelerate the net-zero transition at the community level. A central factor driving QUEST Canada’s initiatives is the power that Canada’s communities hold in the climate change arena. There are many ways to get involved with QUEST Canada, from attending events, becoming a municipal member, or by becoming a client and taking advantage of their range of services—Energy Mapping Workshops, Community Energy Planning Support, Custom Services, and Resilience Workshops. Visit Website Contact Alberta Centre for Sustainable Rural Communities Alberta-Based • Partnership • Community Projects • Research Support • Resources and Data The Alberta Centre for Sustainable Rural Communities (ACSRC) plays a crucial role in supporting rural Alberta communities by helping to address various challenges and enhance their resilience. Their approach involves facilitating constructive dialogue, promoting interdisciplinary and collaborative research, and developing partnerships. ACSRC's mission is to connect the research, outreach, and educational capabilities of the University of Alberta with students, researchers, rural communities, community organizations, and policymakers at different levels. This collaboration aims to improve the sustainability of rural communities and populations, both within the province and beyond. ACSRC is actively engaged in a range of ongoing projects, offering continuous opportunities for involvement and participation. Visit Website Contact Rural Routes to Climate Solutions Community Projects • Alberta-Based • Agriculture • Events • Resources RR2CS serves as a platform for sharing information and success stories regarding innovation in agriculture. The team empowers agricultural producers to adapt their farm practices to address the challenges posed by changing climate conditions while promoting lower-emissions and ecologically sustainable farming methods. The organization hosts a variety of events such as workshops, webinars, and farm field days that facilitate knowledge exchange among rural Albertans and producers. Additionally, they offer informative resources including a podcast and Farmer's Blog. These events and resources are largely accessible free of charge, and cover topics such as: soil carbon sequestration, transitioning to on-farm solar and community-owned renewable energy, food security, biodiversity, regenerative agriculture practices, intercropping, cover cropping, and perennial grains. Visit Website Contact Alberta Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils Ecological Services • Alberta-Based • Partnerships • Program Offerings These independent, non-profit organizations report on watershed health, produce valuable tools and facilitate collaborative planning, education, and stewardship. Find a Council Beaver Hills Biosphere Ecological Services • Alberta-Based • Partnerships • Resources and Data The Beaver Hills Biosphere is a vibrant nature and cultural hub located east of Edmonton. Designated by UNESCO as a biodiverse and culturally significant site in 2016, the region is actively preserved and enhanced by the dedicated efforts of the Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve Association. The mission of the Beaverhills Initiative is to foster a sustainable region through cooperative initiatives and collaborative actions. The team focuses on several key areas, including providing data for informed decision-making, supporting applied research, promoting local Indigenous stories and history, and identifying opportunities for sustainable tourism. By working together with key stakeholders in the region, they strive to ensure the continued growth and sustainability of this invaluable landscape. Visit Website Contact Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute Ecological Services • Albert a-Based • Resources and Data The Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute (ABMI) is an organization that tracks and monitors changes in wildlife and habitats throughout Alberta, spanning across the province. Their primary objective is to provide ongoing, scientifically credible information on Alberta's living resources to support land use decision-makers, future land stewards, and the well-being of all Albertans. Notable resources developed by ABMI include the Wetland Atlas of Alberta and the Status of Land Cover & Biodiversity in the Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc. Forest Management Agreement Area. Visit Website Contact SevGen Consulting Indigenous Knowledge • Advisory Services • Community Projects • Training SevGen offers services to Indigenous communities, governments, corporations and entrepreneurs. Through training, policy development, and strategic initiatives, the SevGen team empowers Indigenous engagement, inclusion, and investment. Their advisory services and research focus on driving policy and program development, consultation, and strategic planning, and are rooted in Indigenous values and perspectives. Visit Website Contact

< Back to Communities Gibbons ROOTED IN FAMILY Gibbons is home to 3,159 residents and lies just west of Alberta's Industrial Heartland on the banks of the Sturgeon River. Learn more: www.gibbons.ca Envision Gibbons - Municipal Sustainability Plan Gibbons' Go East of Edmonton Community Profile Follow Gibbons on

The Impacts of Colonization on Indigenous Food Systems This module was developed in collaboration with Indigenous guidance through SevGen Consulting. Learn about the impacts of colonization on Indigenous food systems. Next Home Transcription & Notes Coming soon... The Impacts of Colonization on Indigenous Food Systems Transcription and Slides Transcript PDF Back Next

The Current Food Landscape This module is about the current food landscape in Alberta. Learn about the shared challenges faced by Indigenous and rural communities, the role Canadian agriculture plays in our economy, and the barriers that exist when revitalising rural communities. Next Home Transcription & Notes 0:00 Welcome back. Previously, we defined food sovereignty and the unique role it can play in addressing Canada's food insecurity. In Module 2, we will explore the current food landscape in Alberta. We will touch on topics such as the shared challenges faced by rural and indigenous communities, the role Canadian agriculture plays in our economy, and finally, the barriers that exist when revitalising rural communities. 0:33 Rural and Indigenous communities have a lot of differences. However, they also share significant food insecurity factors, including: Higher food costs Food that travels longer distances to reach communities, which can increase spoilage and cost There is often a lack of local grocery stores, which can impact the nutritional value of food. Or these communities might only have one grocery store, which can exacerbate those high prices. Transportation infrastructure is particularly vulnerable to weather impacts and due to a lower population density, fixing and maintaining transportation routes is often considered lower priority. Limited support services exist within each community, which can reduce their ability to respond to different challenges. And finally, both rural and indigenous communities exhibit strong community resilience, which is a protective factor against food insecurity. It is because of these shared food insecurity factors that we believe we can generate shared food insecurity solutions. 1:48 Canada has a strong, agri-food industry, which generates significant revenue (1). Despite generating nearly $90 billion in 2022, the reality is that the number of Canadian farms is decreasing, as industrial farms buy independently-owned property (1). One aspect of this is the urbanisation trend in Canada. Over 80% of Canadians live in urban centres, making Canada more urbanised than the United States, France and Germany (2). Despite agriculture operating as one of its main industries, Alberta has urbanised significantly since 1901; in 1901, only 25% of Alberta's population lived in urban centres and a mere 115 years later, 83.5% of Albertans now live in large towns and cities (3). The discovery of oil and fossil fuels, industrialisation, and World War II all played a significant role in driving Alberta's urban boom (3). This pattern of industrialisation and urbanisation in Alberta has resulted in significant depopulation of rural areas, which places rural municipalities at a significant disadvantage due to a reduced tax base and greater responsibilities dedicated delegated by the provincial government (4). These challenges can make it difficult for small towns and rural communities in Alberta to meet their infrastructure needs or invest in services to draw in new residents (4). 3:25 Rural communities are facing a small tax base, which reduces their capacity to adapt, our farm, nursery, and greenhouse sector is also facing a significant lack of workers (5). Farmers are growing older and many do not have plans for who will take over their farms when they retire (5). Often these family farms will be absorbed by industrial farms. While farmers and other producers could play a significant role in stewarding the land, protecting ecosystems, and implementing carbon capture technologies, the reality is, is there's not enough workers to fill these necessary positions (5). The lack of a labour force means that sometimes crops are wasted, farmers are overworked and profits are lost (6). While temporary foreign workers have been hired for decades to fill this labour gap, even that is not enough to respond to this shortage (6). Additionally, as more of the agriculture workforce nears retirement, the existing worker pool is growing even smaller (7). The seasonality of agriculture, lack of required skills, long hours, distance from urban centres and competition with a high-paying energy industry are all factors that contribute to lack of interest in agriculture positions (7). Increased awareness among Canadian workers is needed to fill these positions and increase farm sustainability long term (6,7). 4:48 We can hope that as more people join the agricultural industry, this will also lead to more people moving to rural communities. Overwhelmingly, rural depopulation has emerged as a barrier to growing rural communities and to meeting these agricultural worker requirements. As Albertans moved to urban centres in the 20th century (3), the skills that would have opened up agricultural careers were not passed on. Additionally, personal food skills such as how to grow your own food, cook from scratch, or preserve food for winter also diminished over time (8). This was a natural pattern as the convenience of grocery stores and commercially available foods meant people did not need the labour-intensive skills that they had in the past. However, it also means that if there is a disruption to that convenience, people may not have the skills to adapt. Luckily, these skills are not forever lost. Think back to grocery store shelves. In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, red yeast and baking supplies were nearly impossible to find! This move back to cooking from scratch, preservation and home gardening can be seen in the growth of social media pages and groups targeting these skill sets. Additionally, many Canadian cities, such as Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, lost residents to small towns and rural areas, reflecting a potential for revitalising rural Canada with the help of remote and hybrid working conditions (9). While this pattern was not reflected in Alberta, the rising cost of housing in metropolitan areas may push residents towards affordable, smaller communities (9). 6:28 Rural Canada adds vibrancy, resilience and innovation to the Canadian fabric and contributes about 30% of the overall GDP (10). However, drawing new residents, skilled workers and youth is a continuous challenge (10). For example, high-speed internet has swiftly become a required resource for those pursuing further education, and rural communities often have limited Internet speed and bandwidth (10). Internet speeds can also act as a barrier to retaining youth and for the implementation of new technologies and businesses (10). By building stronger Internet infrastructure across the country, the Canadian government will be able to open up new opportunities and ensure rural communities can better access additional resources (10). A skilled and talented workforce can also be difficult to attract rural communities, as is represented by the decrease in healthcare services in many communities across Alberta (10). Training the existing rural population is a key, as is ensuring that rural communities are enticing enough for other skilled workers to relocate there. This often requires stronger infrastructure such as a recreation center, library, or community events (10). Unfortunately, due to a diminished tax base and reduced capacity to apply for funding, rural communities simply do not have the funds to build new infrastructure and can already struggle to maintain aging infrastructure (10). Without addressing the lack of services and the challenges that we're all communities face, rural revitalization is difficult. Finally, as rural communities will likely face the brunt of climate change impacts while lacking the funds to address these risks, rural sustainability and climate adaptation in these communities is significantly limited (10). These same climate risks expose vulnerabilities in the rural food system, exacerbating already limited choices and high costs. Visit resilientrurals.com to learn more about how we help rural communities adapt to climate risk. 8:33 That concludes Module 2: The Current Food Landscape. To learn more about this topic, please review our references page. The Current Food System Transcription and Slides Transcript PDF References Government of Canada. (2021). Overview of Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector. https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/sector/overview. Crenna, D. (2015). Urbanization. The Canadian Encyclopedia. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/urbanization. Stamp, R.M. (2009). Alberta. The Canadian Encyclopedia. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/alberta. Hallstrom, L., Stonechild, J., & Reist, W. (2015). Alberta. State of Rural Canada. https://sorc.crrf.ca/ab/. Yaghi, M. (2023). Farmers Wanted: The labour renewal Canada needs to build the Next Green Revolution. Royal Bank of Canada: Climate. https://thoughtleadership.rbc.com/farmers-wanted-the-labour-renewal-canada-needs-to-build-the-next-green-revolution/#tab-0_ 2. Briere, K. (December 5, 2023). Alberta’s Labour Challenges Continue. Alberta Farmer Express. https://www.albertafarmexpress.ca/news/agricultures-labour-challenges-continue/. The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council. (2019). How Labour Challenges Will Shape the Future of Agriculture in Alberta: Agriculture Forecast to 2029. https://cahrc-ccrha.ca/sites/default/files/2021-11/AB_EN_Reduced%20size.pdf. Braun, J., & Beckie, M.A. (2014). Against the odds: The survival of traditional food knowledge in a rural Albertan community. Canadian Food Studies. DOI: 10.15353/cfs-rcea.v1i1.21. Cox, W. (February 17, 2023). Canadians on the move, to smaller communities. Troy Media. https://troymedia.com/lifestyle/canadian-dream-alive-in-smaller-communities/. Government of Canada. (2023). Rural opportunity, national prosperity: An Economic Development Strategy for rural Canada. https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/rural/en/rural-opportunity-national-prosperity-economic-development-strategy-rural-Canada. Back Next