EcoStore is a social enterprise dedicated to inspiring and supporting sustainable living in Calgary. All proceeds are reinvested into creating impactful environmental programs for homes, workplaces, and schools. This green community hub sells eco-friendly products while providing the support needed to use them effectively. Read on at calgary-name.
Organization History and Mission
Green Calgary is a public environmental charity founded in 1978. It partners with the City of Calgary to support some of its sustainability initiatives and to develop current, useful educational content for citizens.
Approximately 25% of the organization’s annual revenue comes from city grants. These funds help the organization cover the costs of implementing programs focused on water conservation and waste reduction.
The charitable purpose of this public environmental organization is to educate, inspire, and empower Calgarians. Let’s look at some examples of its charitable activities:
- Presentations on diverse urban environmental topics for children and youth.
- Presentations and workshops for Calgarians on how to lead a sustainable life.
- A dedicated help service to assist with questions regarding urban environmental issues and sustainability.
- Free guides and resources on greening, composting, rainwater harvesting, and other urban environmental topics.
Impact Through Education
Alena, a 9-year-old Calgarian, participated in the organization’s Young Citizen Scientists project studying bumblebees. The girl was initially skeptical that she would find bees in an urban area. During the research, she even felt embarrassed about the untidy condition of hives and yards. Alena was fully supported by educators and volunteers.
The charitable organization delivered environmental education for 7,000 young citizens in just one year. Alena became one of the best environmental advocates among them. Furthermore, the program engaged over 1,000 homeowners in sustainable living practices, and approximately 50 businesses to reduce their environmental impact.
Program Focus Areas
EcoStore Green Calgary supports Calgarians in adopting a more sustainable lifestyle. The organization focuses on three pillars: youth, workplace, and home.
- Green Calgary’s “Green Kids” and Generation Green programs (for youth in grades 7–12) offer hands-on classroom education covering topics such as water, waste, and energy.
- The “Green Homes and Communities” program highlights adult education in sustainability. This includes the “Natural Living” seminar series and “Sustainable Development” workshops. They also offer the “Green Tea” project, funded by the Eco Action Grant, a support service, and an annual on-site rainwater barrel sale. Furthermore, the program conducts waste workshops, assessments, and targeted audits for Calgary businesses (engaging the public in discussions about waste diversion in the city).
- The organization supports local events through its “Greening Events” program. This is achieved through close collaboration with event organizers. Visitors learn about waste management, significantly increasing waste diversion rates from landfills. Participants receive education on composting and recycling.
Funding the Mission
While the role of environmental organizations in the community is well-known, funding to support EcoStore Green Calgary’s efforts is becoming an increasingly challenging task. Calgarians have several ways to live greener and contribute:
- A $200 donation will subsidize the cost of one of the available hands-on environmental presentations for 30 young citizens. This is a way to ensure children have access to practical environmental education, regardless of their school’s ability to pay.
- A $25 donation helps add a book on sustainability to the green library. This supports hundreds of Calgarians in their pursuit of environmental literacy.
- Volunteering. It is difficult to imagine the work of a public charity without volunteers. For example, every year, over 100 volunteers dedicate more than 1,500 hours to work events, staff, and support programs. Volunteers also provide administrative assistance. By becoming an EcoStore Green Calgary volunteer, Calgarians can use their skills and talents to help build a sustainable city.
By joining EcoStore Green Calgary, citizens can raise awareness of new urban environmental issues. You can take simple green actions daily, make friends, and meet others who also want to make Calgary more sustainable. Green community members gain voting rights at general meetings and can run for election to the EcoStore Green Calgary board.
By helping this environmental charity, Calgarians contribute to creating a healthy, ecological future. This allows for the implementation of environmental programs aimed at greening the lives, workplaces, and leisure of citizens.
