Everything is Connected
Everything is Connected
Intro – The Moment We’re In “Water for the town seems to have been forgotten. Damn the river? Drill more wells? Boil rain water? Move to Okotoks?” That single comment from last week’s discussion summed up the unease many of us feel. In a dry year, when rivers run low and growth pressures keep rising, […]
Reclaiming Our Water Future: From Panic to Planning Read More »
Every decision we make as a community—about water, buildings, energy, or even the air we breathe—shapes the world we leave for future generations. Over the past several years, local projects like rainwater harvesting, xeriscaping, and Repair Cafés have shown what’s possible when residents take sustainability into their own hands. Now, it’s time to bring these
Introducing the Sustainability Plan: Building a Healthier, Smarter Community Together Read More »
I attended the candidates’ forum last week to hear firsthand how each candidate envisions leading our community into the future. While it was encouraging to hear water conservation, responsible development, and fiscal management come up time and again, much of the language sounded familiar. Yet, in between the well-rehearsed phrases, there were subtle shifts that
Welcome to Sustainable Life Updates!You’re part of a growing community in Diamond Valley working toward a more sustainable future.This month, we’re looking at what the changing season can teach us — how to wrap up projects, protect what we’ve built, and plan for the year ahead. 💧 Rain Tote Season Wrap-Up The first frosts are
Sustainable Life – November Update: Preparing for Winter, Planning for Spring Read More »
Rising costs, shrinking options Every household in town knows the story: energy bills keep climbing. Heating, lighting, powering our homes and public buildings takes a bigger share of the budget every year. Small communities like ours are especially vulnerable — we have fewer choices, and much of our energy spending flows straight out of town
Local Energy Control: Why District Energy Matters for Our Community Read More »
Why this matters now The way we live has followed the same model for a long time: take resources, make products, and eventually throw them away. This “take–make–waste” approach no longer works — not for the environment, not for our wallets, and especially not for small communities like ours. Costs are rising, resources feel more
Building a Circular Economy: Keeping Resources, Skills, and Wealth in Our Community Read More »
Sustainability isn’t only about solar panels or landscapes — it’s about people. When most of us hear the word “sustainability,” we picture clean energy, Xeriscaped yards, or rainwater systems. These are vital pieces of the puzzle, but they’re not the whole story. At the heart of sustainability is something less visible, but equally powerful: how
🌱 Mentorship as a Path to Sustainability Read More »
Every spring, the pattern repeats itself. As soon as the rains begin, messages and calls pour in: “Do you still have any rain totes left?” Too often, people miss the chance to set up in time. By the time they realize the value of capturing rainwater, it’s already slipping away. The Rain Tote Project by
Behind the Rain Tote Project: A Sustainable Life Initiative Read More »
Why Pollinators Matter Recently, the Western Wheel reported that the MD of Foothills had passed a bylaw restricting beekeeping, leaving local beekeepers — in their words — “buzzing mad.” [^1] “Foothills County’s Land Use Bylaw 60/2014 (with amendments including Bylaw 19/2015) continues to include provisions requiring development permits for beehives in designated zones, particularly for
The Critical Role of Pollinators in Food Security Read More »