Media Campaign to Protect AB Rockies & Headwaters

Hi folks. I am an outdoor enthusiast, wild forager, hopeful hunter; an active parent and an active Albertan. I believe that the value of nature is under-recognized in government, yet highly appreciated by the public, and the Alberta government has pulled the wool over the publics eyes over the past year when it rescinded the 1976 Coal Policy.

I, along with other concerned Albertans are hoping to stop the sell-off of Crown Land that is currently threatened due to the withdrawal of this policy, which required mining operations to consult with all affected indigenous communities and  was extremely limited in ecologically sensitive areas, protecting wildlife and Alberta's headwaters:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-coal-policy-rescinded-mine-development-environmental-concern-1.5578902

Water allocations are already stretched to the limit in the prairies. The loss of this essential resource to toxic mining practice and likelihood of contamination of  the headwaters is too much.

We are getting the word out to Albertans through an informative billboard campaign. It is already underway; there are billboards in Calgary and Grande Prairie and another in Edmonton is going up as of February 8, and one in Lethbridge by the 1st week of February.

Here's a crop of the graphic we're using:

The website https://protectalbertawater.ca/ is a concise and non-partisan page dedicated to providing  information about the proposed coal-mining sites, the history and ecological impacts of open-pit coal mining, and methods for individuals to express their thoughts and concerns to the Provincial, Federal government.

*** IF you are, are acquainted with: a farmer, a land-owner, or a business owner who is willing to put up signage, please reach out via e-mail to: Devonm (AT) processcolor (DOT) com. There are medium and large vinyl posters with grommets available . We can help you get started if printing costs interfere with you obtaining a poster and showing your support.

Subsequently, if there is a high-exposure billboard in your area and you're eager to get the message out, please reach out to share with us the advertisers information and we will assess the possibility of making that happen.

We asked $5000 to get the campaign rolling, but funds will be needed as the campaign will be ongoing until the 1976 Coal Policy is reinstated or policy action has taken place.

A breakdown of monthly financial needs are as follows:
$840   /month - Grande Prairie Billboard @ 100Ave & 101 St.      (January 12th - February 12th)
$1050/month - Edmonton Billboard                                                             (February 8th - March 8th) 
$924/month - Lethbridge Billboard @ Crowsnest Trail E/W.         (February 4-March 4)
$1600 per dozen 4x12 signs. (one round paid for)

Fundraising is paying for monthly billboard spaces in Calgary, Grande Prairie, Edmonton, and Lethbridge.  Red Deer, Banff and as well. The cost of 4x12 signs are being covered for those interested in displaying one but cannot afford it.

Time is of the essence, as these issues are currently under federal review. There are also private lawsuits that need the support of an informed public.

Leases have already been sold to Australian operations, without the consultation of Alberta's public sphere - including affected indigenous nations. The proposed coal would be exported for Chinese steel manufacturing. The land was leased for 36$ per hectare with the promise of 400 jobs over the course of 25 years and royalties of 1%, . The spin doesn't take into consideration the poor record of these mine's environmental impacts and high cost of repairs and reclamation, their flakiness on paying out royalties, or the false trust that the government is implying Albertans have on such projects. 

Your support represents a vote in favour of the full story, of community engagement,  of democratic participation beyond the 4-year ballot, and lastly, in favour of honest consideration of our most valuable environmental resources and spaces that bring us together. 

Our governments need to be accountable to their job as representatives and stewards of the province's land and people, not as back-door dealers to lie, cheat and exploit the much-appreciated landscapes that Albertans value through and through. 

The fundraiser will be deemed a success, and will close upon the reinstatement of the Coal Policy by the Alberta Government. Until then, the Eastern Rockies remain under threat of industrial resource extraction.