Environment

green@laclabichecounty.com
T: 780-623-6739

Lac La Biche County has a strong connection to nature. The region is environmentally and ecologically significant, containing more than 150 lakes and countless wetlands, and it has been recognized as one of Alberta's Important Bird Areas. The County has many programs in place to protect and enhance the land, air and water. In keeping with our motto of "welcoming by nature," we strive to be environmental leaders so our region is kept beautiful and clean for future generations.

Please select a menu item below to learn more about what we do:

Green Initiatives Calendar Photo Submissions

The Green Initiatives Calendar is free and includes everything you need to know about Lac La Biche County’s environmental programs and services.

We have started work on next year’s Green Initiatives Calendar and we need your help to fill it with high-quality photos of our beautiful region.

Every year, we hold a contest and invite community members to submit potential photos for the calendar. We’re looking for photos that show the County’s natural beauty, wildlife and more. 

Photo Quality & Number

Pictures must be of high quality so they can be printed. Please ensure the image resolution is set to high before you submit it to us. The file size should be at least 2 MB.

Photographers are limited to a total of five (5) photo submissions.

Please note: All photos must be taken within Lac La Biche County and their location noted with your entry. 

Deadline to Enter

Submissions for the 2025 Green Initiatives Calendar are now open. Entries will be accepted until July 31, 2024.

How To Enter

Send us an email with your Full Name, Telephone Number, Email Address, and a listing of the photo locations.

The Prize

Each winning photographer will receive $100 in County Dollars to be used at a local business. Last year we had some really great entries so don't be afraid to give it a try!

Last Year's Calendar

Copies of our Green Initiatives Calendars are made available at all County facilities including McArthur Place, Bold Center, County Centre, and all landfills and transfer stations.   

2024 Green Initiatives Calendar

Items for Sale

The County believes in providing residents with resources that help them to be more environmentally friendly. Composters and rain barrels are sold at a reduced price at the County Centre office (13422 Highway 881). Please call (780) 623-6739 to ask about item availability and specifications. 

Note that due to Covid-19 restrictions, curbside pickup arrangements are available.  

Composters are ideal for turning organic waste like fruit and vegetable leftovers into nutrient-rich fertilizer. The County sells composters for $72 each, plus GST.

Rain barrels are sold for $78.05 each, plus GST (170 litre capacity, 32 inches high and 24 inches in diametre). The barrels collect rainwater, which you can then use to water your garden, wash your car and more!

Green Cones, also known as solar food digestors, are also available for purchase for $116, plus GST. To learn more about what you can put in a Green Cone click here.


Lake and Shoreline Protection

Click here to read our pamphlet about shoreline and water body protection. Our water bodies are the source of our drinking water, home to many species of flora and fauna, and the site of numerous recreational activities, so we are committed to safeguarding them.

Our County contains a large number of riparian areas. These are areas bordering lakes, rivers and other bodies of water, so they are vital for protecting water quality, providing habitats for plants and wildlife, and more. The County uses the Riparian Setback Matrix Model to regulate development and subdivision around water bodies. This helps to ensure the local watershed's long-term health and sustainability.

Waterfront landowners may wish to add retaining walls, build docks or make other changes to the shoreline. However, shorelines are actually public lands owned by the Government of Alberta and regulated by Alberta Environment & Parks. In addition, as part of its Watershed Management Plan, the County may own "buffer zones" called Environmental Reserves, which must be kept in their natural state. Please call our Planning & Development department at (780) 623-1747 to find out which regulations apply to your property.


Healthy Waters Lac La Biche

Healthy Waters Lac La Biche is a newly formed environmental conservation organization whose mission is to enhance, preserve, and protect the watersheds in the Lac La Biche Region, ensuring that they are healthy and ecologically sustainable.

Click here to view their website.



Lake Water Quality Monitoring Program

Lac La Biche County has an annual program to monitor the water quality of lakes located within its boundaries. The water sampling events are conducted during the winter and summer of each year and has been ongoing since 2002. A total of five lakes are monitored each year by Lac La Biche County. Certain lakes may not be monitored by Lac La Biche County if they are already being monitored by environmental organizations such as the Alberta Lake Management Society (data may be shared upon request between Lac La Biche County and these organizations).  The results of the lake water quality monitoring are compiled every year and are summarized in the annual lake quality monitoring reports. 


Lac La Biche Watershed Management Plan

To view the information about the Watershed Management Plan click the link below.

Environment Week

Environment Week is a time to reaffirm our relationship with the natural world, centered around World Environment Day on June 5. Lac La Biche County participates in this annual public awareness campaign, and the Environmental Services department hosts a variety of events and informative workshops. Watch our Event Calendar and the County's Facebook page for details about Environment Week events each year.

The week typically ends with a Household Hazardous Waste Round-Up and Community Shred-It, which is an opportunity for residents to dispose of toxic, flammable or corrosive items like household cleaners safely. A secure shredder is also available so residents can recycle confidential papers.


Environmental Stewardship Awards

The Environmental Stewardship Awards recognize an individual or group that has made contributions towards Protecting, Preserving or Enhancing the Natural Environment in our municipality. Lac La Biche County presents the Environmental Stewardship Award each year to the winners of each category: community, youth, and agriculture. View Environmental Stewardship Awards Policy.

Each winner receives a $500 cash award, along with public recognition and an award certificate.  Nominations can be submitted to Lac La Biche County and will remain open until all categories are filled. For more information email green@laclabichecounty.com or call 780-623-6739. 


Mad About Science

Mad About Science is a free, educational summer day camp for kids ages 6-12. Participants learn about the environment through games, experiments and other activities. This is one way we teach our younger citizens about environmental stewardship. Mad About Science runs day camps each Friday in July and August, along with additional programming and events. For more information please call (780) 623-6739 or e-mail green@laclabichecounty.com.


One of the County's official Operating Guiding Principles is environmental sustainability.

That means we aim to lead by example, and we want to consider the environment in all of our decisions and day-to-day activities. 

The Corporate Green Team is an internal committee of County staff members, whose goal is to make sure we practice what we preach and our operations are environmentally friendly.