Environmental Information and Programs

Lacombe County encourages residents to take care of the natural environment. We have developed several programs to encourage and educate local property owners with regards to manageable environmentally friendly actions that they can take.

Environmental Organizations in Lacombe County

Agroforestry Woodlot Extension Society (AWES)
Alberta Environmental Farm Plan (EFP)
Alberta Plastics Recycling Group (APRG)
Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Society
(formerly Cows & Fish)
Battle River Watershed Alliance
Central Alberta Forage and Livestock Association (CAFLA)
(formerly Grey Wooded Forage Association)
Ellis Nature Centre
(formerly Ellis Bird Farm)
Friends of the Blindman River Watershed
Medicine River Watershed Society

Every little step helps! Throughout the year, we also offer a variety of educational classes and workshops. See what we have planned in our events area!

Resident Environmental Sustainability Program

We subsidize an initiative for Lacombe County property owners each year to help them achieve their environmental goals.

Previously, we provided:

2022: rain barrels were sold to residents to help them collect rainwater for their gardens and other outdoor watering needs
2023 and 2024: we sold trees for residents to purchase

In 2025, we are subsidizing FoodCyclers to residents, to help reduce the amount of waste going into local landfills. Find full details here: https://www.lacombecounty.com/foodcycler/.

Wild About Bees Program

The Wild About Bees Program will provide participants with seeds native to and suitable for use in Lacombe County and Central Alberta. Each spring, you are invited to purchase a package of pollinator seed mix and a Wild About Bees handbook. Each seed package mimics a natural ecosystem and contains six native bunch grasses, two native clovers, and up to 40 native wildflowers to the central Alberta area.

What will you find in your handbook?

Site prep trips for optimum success
How to create a high-quality pollinator garden, specific for native pollinators
Photo identification of all the species in your seed package
Lacombe County's top 20 favourite pollinators
Where to find further resources

Contact Community Services for a copy of the Wild About Bees handbook and seed package.

Environmental Stewardship Award

Lacombe County is proud to recognize individuals in our community for outstanding commitment to advancing environmental stewardship in Lacombe County.

Any member of the public can nominate an individual for this award. A committee will select the successful recipient. The nomination period is from July 15 to September 30. Please submit applications in person or by email.

Lacombe County Environmental Stewardship Award Nomination Form

Eligibility

The nominee must be a resident and practicing environmental stewardship within Lacombe County
Can only be recipient of the award once
Nomination forms need to be submitted before September 30

Previous Winners

2023

Ward Nelson, a County resident for the past 10 years, has been actively involved in environmental initiatives in his community. Situated alongside the picturesque Medicine River, his property spans approximately 1.4 kilometres of the riverbank. Ward has dedicated himself to safeguarding this vital ecosystem by diligently mitigating livestock-related damage to the river and its adjacent banks. Ward's land management practices have seen the integration of a rotational grazing system, ensuring that no area is overgrazed and facilitating the flourishing of native flora.

To keep his cattle and horses from using the river as a water source, Ward installed a solar-powered livestock watering system and constructed a dugout. Additionally, he has embarked on an ambitious reforestation project, planting over 2000 tree seedlings along the riverbanks to restore the natural vegetation and enhance the stability of the riverbanks.

In a remarkable display of collaborative stewardship, Ward actively partnered with Lacombe County to employ thistle weevils as a biological control measure for Canada thistle, thereby significantly reducing the use of herbicides and contributing to the preservation of the local environment.

He is an active Medicine River Watershed Society member, actively engaging in various initiatives to protect and enhance the river's health. He regularly participates in meetings with oil companies operating in the area, passionately advocating for the importance of the Medicine River and its continued protection.

2022

Lacombe County is pleased to announce that Joan Olafson is the 2022 Environmental Stewardship Award Recipient.
Joan carried forward her father's legacy of being a steward over their home quarter (located seven miles northwest of the City of Lacombe), including 80 acres of wetlands, forest, and spring-fed streams surrounding 74 acres of agricultural land.
Joan and her predecessors have received recognition from organizations such as Lacombe Fish & Game and the Red Deer River Naturalists related to preserving these natural areas. Joan has a deep connection to the land and would like to see these natural areas preserved for future generations.

2021

Lacombe County is pleased to announce that Sharon and Rick Wiebe are the 2021 Environmental Stewardship Award Recipients. They are being recognized for the work they have done on their property. Located southwest of Blackfalds, Sharon and Rick have completed a number of projects, including:

Organic community garden with 10-12 share
Rainwater collection for the community garden
Vegetable waste from garden is composted
Developed an off-site watering system, to isolate cattle from sensitive areas
This past spring, 150 trees were planted to replace fallen and windblown trees
Creation of bird and bat habitat
The landscaping around the house is made up of perennials with an emphasis on species that are beneficial to pollinators

For questions or further details, please contact Community Services.

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