Sustainable Black Diamond
For the Town of Black Diamond, developing a sustainability plan is about much more than securing provincial funding for our community, although this funding is critical to sustaining and developing our Town today and in the future. What it's really about is leaving a legacy for those that will come after us ... our children, our grandchildren and generations that will live, work and thrive on this beautiful land. It's about sustaining what's here long into the future through choices that consciously embrace:
- accountability
- environmental stewardship
- social inclusion and responsibility
- economic sustainability
- cultural sustainability
How will a sustainability plan benefit our community?
Black Diamond is a gateway to the ranchlands along the Cowboy Trail and sits at the entrance to Kananaskis Country, Alberta's pristine wilderness and outdoor recreational area. The beautiful Sheep River valley carves out the topography of our region, provides an important wildlife habitat and establishes natural boundaries for development.
We have more than a spectacular natural setting to protect. A long-term sustainability plan will also help us to maintain the uniqueness of our community that is defined by our:
- friendly rural atmosphere
- rich history
- thriving artistic community
Blazing the trail for the future
Sometimes the artists say it best, just Sally Bates, a Cowboy Poet did when she wrote*:
A bit of cowboy advice, I've learned on horseback and saddle...for those pursuin' the sustainable path:
- Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.
- Avoid the special interests. Pursue the common interest.
- Every path has a few puddles. Don't be afraid to walk through 'em.
- Always drink upstream from the herd - except in Okotoks where our innovations allow you to drink downstream from our herd.
- You get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.
- Build consensus to achieve momentum.
*excerpted from The Story of a Sustainable Okotoks, reprinted with permission from the Town of Okotoks.
