INITIATIVES
When Two Worlds Collide
When Two Worlds Collide highlights the loss and subsequent salvage of the Robinson Wetland. It shares how a vital natural resource would have been lost due to the expansion of the town and land development activities, were it not for a few dedicated individuals who worked very hard to preserve these wetlands.
Supporting environmental action and protection in Cochrane since 1989
Cochrane Farmers' Market
CEAC sponsors and operates the Cochrane Farmers’ Market. Run entirely by CEAC volunteers, four types of markets are organized throughout the year. All proceeds are used to support CEAC in its efforts to make Cochrane more environmentally aware and active.
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Branches & Banks
Hundreds of volunteers have planted tens of thousands of trees through Cochrane Branches and Banks, a program that seeks to promote environmental stewardship and community spirit through tree planting and other environmental enhancement activities.
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Our Current Projects
Every year, CEAC provides two $1,500 scholarships to students graduating from Cochrane high schools who are interested in pursuing education in environmental studies and contributing to a healthier environment. Visit Our Blog to learn more! Deadline for 2026 applications is June 15, 2026.
Living in the Natural Environment is an annual event that brings the rural and small urban community, government, and non-agricultural rural residents together to initiate discussion relevant to the surrounding landscape and the people who live there.
Women for Climate is a simple, tangible pilot project would increase conversation, build community and create community climate resilience. This CEAC pilot project, will have 10 diverse women meet monthly for dinner for 8 months, watch videos with local, guest women climate leaders, discuss climate action, dream and create a better world.
In response to the ever increasing wildlife encounters and interactions throughout Cochrane it is obvious that there is a strong need to equip residents with the knowledge and awareness to handle these situations. To coexist, or live peacefully alongside with wildlife people must be responsible in the ways they interact with the natural world. Some people have certainly learned to live without conflict alongside wildlife but there are still people in our community who feel their actions do not have any consequences and that they do not need to follow the rules. This includes things like walking their pets off-leash, leaving birdseed and other attractants out year round, or encroaching on wildlife.
This CEAC initiative is intent on raising public awareness and knowledge through outreach and education to teach audiences about local wildlife, what is known about them, and how everyone can use that information to safely and effectively coexist with wildlife so as to avoid potential conflicts in town.
The Alberta Tomorrow Foundation has been providing educational resources for schools across Alberta since 2005 on the importance of balancing our environmental priorities with socioeconomic needs. Through our FREE online simulation tool, students are able to“see” on satellite imagery how our landscapes have changed since 1910 and how a set of environmental and socioeconomic indicators change as a result, how they may change in the next 30 years, and most importantly how their own plan for the future could change the environmental and socioeconomic indicators for the better. The Alberta government has released new K-6 Science and Social Studies curriculums, but have provided no resources for teachers and students.
New Edukits will be developed that will include lesson plans and materials such as floor sized maps with suggested activities and materials to use the maps, games, puzzles, and LEGO kits for hands-on learning that explores changes on the landscape.
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Previous Projects
Youth Projects
Canada World Youth
Partnering with Canada World Youth, CEAC helps deal with environmental issues through activities like weed pulls, wrapping trees along Big Hill Creek to protect them from beavers
Cochrane High Project
By far CEAC’s largest involvement with a school is as a platinum sponsor for Cochrane High School Phase 1 and a gold sponsor for Phase 3 Sustainable Development Project.
School Projects
Environmental awareness and education are a cornerstone to CEAC’s mission. Over the years CEAC has focussed much effort with the schools in Cochrane through a wide range of projects and initiatives.
Community Activities
Wetlands Committee
Wetlands matter! An estimated 70% of Alberta’s wetlands and 90% of Calgary’s wetlands have been eliminated to accommodate urban development and other human impacts.
Cochrane Brownfield Committee
In 1998 with less than 10 days before a public hearing on a proposed Remediation Plan (RP) and development plans, CEAC worked hard to bring together information and constructive criticism, based on the information presented in the RP.
Low Impact Development Conference
More than 160 engineers, developers, politicians, municipalities, biologists, researchers and stewardship groups gathered at the spectacular Cochrane Ranche House
2009 P2S Conference
A full recap of the 2009 Pathways 2 Sustainability Conference is available for download here, in PDF format.
Light Pollution
Light pollution is light that shines where it is not needed or wanted. Typically, 30 to 50% of the light we produce is never used, shining sideways or upwards instead.
Aggregate Exploration & Extraction Policy Workshop
NEW INITIATIVE THAT WE DON’T HAVE INFO ABOUT!
Partnership with On-Growing Works
CEAC and On-Growing Works offer a series of educational opportunities to Cochrane and area to promote sustainability, low impact development and innovation while being environmentally responsible.
Bighill Creek Preservation Society
CEAC is proud to support the Bighill Creek Preservation Society, which is dedicated to ensuring the natural and historical values of the Bighill Creek Watershed are preserved for this and future generations.
Energy for All Sponsor
Energy for All is a non-profit organization created to improve worldwide health by providing clean water and protect/preserve the environment by providing renewable energy through environmentally sustainable means.
Events & Gatherings
Green Drinks
Green Drinks is a relaxed, unstructured event where people interested in the environment, sustainability and community can get together to network, talk shop, learn, or share a story.
Environmental Film Festivals
To celebrate its 20th anniversary CEAC sponsored an International Wildlife Film Festival at the Cochrane Ranchehouse Theatre on Saturday Nov 21st. CEAC worked with The International Wildlife Media Center & Film Festival (IWFF) out of Missoula, Montana to bring world class environmental films to Cochrane.
Toki Thistle Pull
CEAC joined with the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) Thistle Pull event at the Toki property in Jumpingpound Creek, near Cochrane.
Speaker Series
CEAC has been a proud sponsor of the M.D. of Bighorn’s “Living in the Natural Environment” Speaker series. The event features presentations from environmental experts on topics of interest to residents.