Where it all began:
It is not very often you are approached to take part in a project where all your passion are bundled into one little package. But for me, the stars aligned and I got 3 of my favourite things in one action packed adventure. Those things for me were film, bikes, and community.
My name is Alison, I am a filmmaker, an avid cyclist, and a community builder.
Rewind to the spring of 2017, my soon to be good friend, Nathalie from the Battle River Watershed Alliance reaches out regarding a potential project they are working on. The Battle River Watershed Alliance (BRWA) is known to do some really cool work in the Battle River Region. They are a non-governmental organization 'dedicated to preserving and enhancing the land and water' in the basins they call home: "Our work takes a balanced approach for healthy and natural areas, resilient communities, and a stable economy" (BRWA).
In previous years, the BRWA has done some cycling tours exploring their region, but Nathalie wanted to grow this. She came to me, with the idea of a documentary. This way, the education from the tour goes beyond its direct circle of cyclists, and can ripple out into the community for everyone to see. Her idea was simple, but brilliant. Do another tour, capture the whole thing, make a movie, then tour with the movie. A great way to reach so many more people! I was all in. This easily was a passion project for me. It was a fair size project compared to the other work I had previously done. I was running and gunning for 3 full days, running 4 cameras, capturing presentations, and b-roll, assisting with flat tires, and then asking questions along the way. But I was up for the challenge.
Fast Forward to September 2017, and I present to you:
My name is Alison, I am a filmmaker, an avid cyclist, and a community builder.
Rewind to the spring of 2017, my soon to be good friend, Nathalie from the Battle River Watershed Alliance reaches out regarding a potential project they are working on. The Battle River Watershed Alliance (BRWA) is known to do some really cool work in the Battle River Region. They are a non-governmental organization 'dedicated to preserving and enhancing the land and water' in the basins they call home: "Our work takes a balanced approach for healthy and natural areas, resilient communities, and a stable economy" (BRWA).
In previous years, the BRWA has done some cycling tours exploring their region, but Nathalie wanted to grow this. She came to me, with the idea of a documentary. This way, the education from the tour goes beyond its direct circle of cyclists, and can ripple out into the community for everyone to see. Her idea was simple, but brilliant. Do another tour, capture the whole thing, make a movie, then tour with the movie. A great way to reach so many more people! I was all in. This easily was a passion project for me. It was a fair size project compared to the other work I had previously done. I was running and gunning for 3 full days, running 4 cameras, capturing presentations, and b-roll, assisting with flat tires, and then asking questions along the way. But I was up for the challenge.
Fast Forward to September 2017, and I present to you:
FINDING COMMON GROUND BIKE TOUR AND DOCUMENTARY
What is the future of energy in our changing climate? How do we power our way forward?
In September 2017, the Battle River Watershed Alliance and 25 community members took off on a three day bike trip to explore the current and future energy production in east-central Alberta. Along the way, we visited seven energy production sites, heard from 14 guest speakers, covered 186 kilometers, and had many conversations.
Following the 3 day tour, I spent more hours than I can ever track working on this Documentary. With the help of my good friends at the BRWA we nuzzled in for the winter (I can't say nose to the grindstone... that was clearly the biking part), and got this documentary ready for viewing. I probably laughed, I know I cried, but most importantly I learned a lot!
View the Trailer and the full Documentary below:
In September 2017, the Battle River Watershed Alliance and 25 community members took off on a three day bike trip to explore the current and future energy production in east-central Alberta. Along the way, we visited seven energy production sites, heard from 14 guest speakers, covered 186 kilometers, and had many conversations.
Following the 3 day tour, I spent more hours than I can ever track working on this Documentary. With the help of my good friends at the BRWA we nuzzled in for the winter (I can't say nose to the grindstone... that was clearly the biking part), and got this documentary ready for viewing. I probably laughed, I know I cried, but most importantly I learned a lot!
View the Trailer and the full Documentary below:
|
|
View the full report:
The link below takes you to the full report with highlights from the tour and the documentary series.
This project was a huge accomplishment, for every person involved. Many great discussions were held around Alberta, which is exactly what we wanted.
When 2019 rolled around, the BRWA got some exciting news:
An Emerald Award Winner
The Battle River Watershed Alliance won the 2019 Emerald “Shared Footprints” Award. The Emerald Foundation is an organization dedicated to recognizing and showcasing environmental projects from across Alberta and across all sectors. The Shared Footprints Award “recognizes those who have exemplified land and water stewardship, built shared knowledge, improved air quality, reduced land disturbances, and encouraged ecotourism”.
Round 2.0!
Here we go again.
'An Energy Ambassador '
'An Energy Ambassador '
With the excitement and success of Finding Common Ground, the BRWA decided to expand on an already great thing.
And so my phone rang in the summer of 2019. It was something to the extent of: "Hey Alison...Finding Common Ground... 2.0. No...Not another documentary... but how do you feel about photos?"
And again, I was all in.
Finding Common Ground 2.0
The 2.0 Tour recruited Energy Ambassadors to take part on a two day bus tour that allowed exploration and learning of the various energy options and opportunities in the Battle River Region. This included both renewable and convention energy sites, hearing from various guest speakers from different sectors, along with conversations on social and environmental challenges and opportunities.
The second part of this project is that Ambassadors then go back into their communities and share their experiences with friends, colleagues and others.
Which is why you are here!
As you know, I was along on the original Finding Common Ground as the filmmaker. This time, I had the privilege of coming along and snapping some photos and being an Energy Ambassador. Below you will be able to read the key considerations from each day, along with the daily overviews. Then I will tell you my favourite parts. There is a slideshow of the photos I took below, along with ideas to increase energy efficiency, and decrease emissions. I will tell you about what I have been doing, what I plan to do, along with some resources and contact for more information!
Lets dig in.
And so my phone rang in the summer of 2019. It was something to the extent of: "Hey Alison...Finding Common Ground... 2.0. No...Not another documentary... but how do you feel about photos?"
And again, I was all in.
Finding Common Ground 2.0
The 2.0 Tour recruited Energy Ambassadors to take part on a two day bus tour that allowed exploration and learning of the various energy options and opportunities in the Battle River Region. This included both renewable and convention energy sites, hearing from various guest speakers from different sectors, along with conversations on social and environmental challenges and opportunities.
The second part of this project is that Ambassadors then go back into their communities and share their experiences with friends, colleagues and others.
Which is why you are here!
As you know, I was along on the original Finding Common Ground as the filmmaker. This time, I had the privilege of coming along and snapping some photos and being an Energy Ambassador. Below you will be able to read the key considerations from each day, along with the daily overviews. Then I will tell you my favourite parts. There is a slideshow of the photos I took below, along with ideas to increase energy efficiency, and decrease emissions. I will tell you about what I have been doing, what I plan to do, along with some resources and contact for more information!
Lets dig in.
What is Common Ground?
We all use energy.
We are all part of the solution.
We all have a part to play.
We will all benefit from finding solutions together.
We all share this watershed, this province, this planet.
Day 1
Questions and Considerations for Day 1
1. Where does your energy come from?
2. What powers the Alberta grid?
3. What is the future of energy in Alberta?
1. Where does your energy come from?
2. What powers the Alberta grid?
3. What is the future of energy in Alberta?
My Highlights
It is so hard to narrow down the best part of the days for me. But I can say that I loved going on tours of the various energy production sites. This is now my second time going through the coal mine, and it is really cool to see. I can admit it surprised me at first, and I have seen it surprise others, and that is what it looks like driving through the reclaimed land. Everyone is always so amazed to see the land that has been returned to farmland after it has been mined. From looking at it, you would never know it was previously mined. Similar to my first experience at the coal mine, I like hearing the history and the family history of the mine. The staff that I have had the privilege of talking to have both had family ties for generations that go back working at that very location.
After visiting the coal mine, we went to the Power Generation Facility that is switching over from coal to gas. Again, it is a really cool experience to tour through these facilities, and it is amazing to be inside and get a big picture of the scale of things.
Lastly, we toured the Halkirk Wind Farm. Similar to the last time we visited the Wind Farm, we caught a beautiful sunset after a big day. Walking around the turbines, and going inside the turbines is always a highlight. Along with watching the sun go down and refelcting on the days adventures,
After visiting the coal mine, we went to the Power Generation Facility that is switching over from coal to gas. Again, it is a really cool experience to tour through these facilities, and it is amazing to be inside and get a big picture of the scale of things.
Lastly, we toured the Halkirk Wind Farm. Similar to the last time we visited the Wind Farm, we caught a beautiful sunset after a big day. Walking around the turbines, and going inside the turbines is always a highlight. Along with watching the sun go down and refelcting on the days adventures,
Day 2
Questions and Considerations for Day 2
1. How do we decrease the energy we use by building in more efficiency?
2. What are people, schools, and communities doing to improve their energy footprint?
1. How do we decrease the energy we use by building in more efficiency?
2. What are people, schools, and communities doing to improve their energy footprint?
My Highlights:
My favourite part of Day 2 was seeing and talking to the students at the Lacombe Composite High School. First of all, when did I get so old? These students all seemed so young, but they were incredibly motivated and incredibly intelligent. You could see and hear their passion as they toured us through their greenhouse. The work they are doing is amazing, and they are proud of it. I also have to give them bonus points because they fed us lunch from their cafeteria, with food THEY GREW THEMSELVES!!! It was delicious and I think with high school kids doing things like this, our future looks bright (and did I mention delicious).
I also have to mention one other highlights from day 2. Seeing and learning about the straw bale home, and then learning about the electric and hybrid cars were awesome. I think what gets me is the people behind these projects. They are proud, they are passionate, and they are excited about what they are doing. I think that goes a long way, it really is inspiring, and I love hearing people talk about what is important to them.
I also have to mention one other highlights from day 2. Seeing and learning about the straw bale home, and then learning about the electric and hybrid cars were awesome. I think what gets me is the people behind these projects. They are proud, they are passionate, and they are excited about what they are doing. I think that goes a long way, it really is inspiring, and I love hearing people talk about what is important to them.
Below are some photos from the Finding Common Ground 2.0 Tour
2.0 Tour offsets
The carbon has been offset for ($15/tonne) with Carbon Farmers,
In lieu of honorariums for presenters who were supported by their organizations, donations were made to Brenlea farms, a Camrose County farmer who has been working to plant trees and restore wetlands around her farm.
In lieu of honorariums for presenters who were supported by their organizations, donations were made to Brenlea farms, a Camrose County farmer who has been working to plant trees and restore wetlands around her farm.
Call to action
So, the big question, now what?
Here are some ideas for things you can do going forward!
Here are some ideas for things you can do going forward!
What have I done so far? Heres a few things...
What's next for me?
- One big change that I have made is changes in my daily transportation. Living in a small town, for me, means that I have shorter distances to travel to get to places I need to go. There are options that are healthy for both me and my community PLUS they save me money! I am able to bike or walk to work almost daily, or carpool if I need. I also use these options to do majority of my errands. I catch a shuttle to neighbouring communities when I need to get away, and I am also lucky that on very cold days, I can catch a community shuttle to work.
- I have made a conscious effort to use less water, especially less heated water (ie. laundry, showers)
- At this time in my life I am not a homeowner, which limits certain abilities; however, the house that I rent is heated 100% by the fireplace. We close the curtains to stop heat from escaping, and have a few extra warm blankets for the really cold days.
- I consciously buy less, and when I do, I ensure long-lasting quality, and always look for local, sustainable options.
What's next for me?
- My next goal is to consciously track my emissions, and work on finding ways to offset them!
Full Disclosure...
SPOILER ALERT! I am not perfect, and I will bet you probably aren't either. What is important is that we support one another, challenge one another, and grow together. We are all learning, we are all constantly growing, and I assume we all want to live in a happy, healthy world. So let's work on it together, and work on doing better, together!
Reach out!
I am always open to more conversations about the opportunities I have had, or, hearing about your conversations!
You can reach out to me through the contact form on my webpage, with Finding Common Ground in the subject line.
Alternately, you can visit, or contact the Battle River Watershed Alliance. Hit the button below to visit their webpage.
You can reach out to me through the contact form on my webpage, with Finding Common Ground in the subject line.
Alternately, you can visit, or contact the Battle River Watershed Alliance. Hit the button below to visit their webpage.