LAC LA BICHE – Environment Week activities in Lac La Biche County kicked off on May 31 with a launch party in McArthur Park.
Those who took in the event were able to see displays and exhibits by local environmental organizations, enjoy a barbecue, and participate in a variety of hands-on activities.
Environment Week coincides with World Environment Day, which will be celebrated on June 5.
This global day for environmental action was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972. Each year, World Environment Day focuses on a different theme and is hosted by a different country.
Among the environmental groups represented at the Environment Week launch party were the Land Stewardship Centre, Lakeland Industry and Community Association (LICA), as well as Healthy Waters Lac La Biche.
People who stopped by the table operated by Pamela Billey, an outreach engagement coordinator with the Edmonton-based Land Stewardship Centre, could learn about what the organization.
“We have tools, resources available for recreational property owners, hobby farm owners, acreage owners, rural lakefront property owners, just to implement small projects in light of conservation and better land use practices on their property,” Billey said.
“I think it’s really important to celebrate Environment Week because it is what sustains us, be it land, air, water,” she said.
The Bonnyville-based environment group LICA also had a presence at the Lac La Biche County Environment Week launch party, with Jodie Genest, a community outreach coordinator with LICA, on hand to speak with people.
LICA has a strong partnership with Lac La Biche County and was at the launch party to promote environmental stewardship in the region.
According to Genest, LICA helps Healthy Waters Lac La Biche in supporting the ‘Keep Our Lake Blue’ campaign.
“We’re also here to promote our riparian health campaign,” she said, explaining that through this program, LICA provides seedlings to individuals in the area, and they can repair or remediate their riparian areas.
Julie Hink, the vice president of Healthy Waters Lac La Biche who also works with the group’s education committee, said Environment Week helps to teach people about environmental practices.
“We are gaining more and more knowledge about how to deal with our environment. What we did 50 years ago is now very out of date, and we understand that that was harming the environment,” Hink explained. “Our mission is to try to promote healthy activities . . . The best practices for the shoreline . . . and for the watershed in general.”
