Okotoks…painting the town green?’

Having won three environmental awards, including one from the United Nations, Okotoks, Alberta is showing just how big an impact a number of small steps can have when you put them together.

Formerly best known as the home of the world’s largest glacial erratic rock, Okotoks is now building a rock-solid reputation as a green community. From a bylaw requiring the installation of low flow toilets to construction of Canada’s first fully solar community, Okotoks is recycling environmentally-harmful practices into new, responsible approaches.

One has to wonder if Okotoks, which has put limits on just how big the town can get, can do it, why can’t every other city in Canada? Many communities have green programs in place and are taking a look at a broad range of energy and water conserving practices. Many of these programs are small and simple, though they require the engagement of the entire community, but the biggest obstacle to implementation is funding for the programs.

Back in Okotoks, as shown in its Sustainable Okotoks Green Guide, they know it’s not necessary to move the big rock all at once, but that success can come through combined, individual effort that slowly chips away at the big problem.