News Archives: "Alberta Rural Organic Waste to Resources Network" Inaugural Conference
Tuesday, April 24th, 2012
After months of planning, the new Alberta Rural Organic Waste to Resources Network (AROWRN) is pleased to announce the network's first conference, to be held at Alberta Technology Innovates Futures in Edmonton April 30 and May 1, 2012. The conference, which has attracted delegates from throughout western Canada, will be of most interest to those interested in the production of wood and other biomass, in innovative waste treatment solutions, and/or in opportunities in Alberta's emerging bio-economy. Partners in funding include the Alberta Rural Development Network, GPRC's Centre for Research & Innovation, Natural Resources Canada and NSERC. Organizers are particularly pleased to present keynote speaker Dr. John Gilliland, OBE, who is a global leader in sustainable development and the founder and Chair of Rural Generation. He is Chair of the Rural Climate Change Forum and former Vice Chair of the UK Sustainable Development Commission. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies of the U.K. and a former president of the Ulster Farmers' Union. Dr. Gilliland has represented the agri-business sector with all levels of government, the EU and worldwide economic bodies. Five Alberta research sites have been established over the past five years to investigate the application of municipal wastewater and biosolids to willow and poplar crops under Alberta climate conditions. The sites, dubbed Sustainable Wood Energy Plantations (SWEP), were established at the towns of Whitecourt and Beaverlodge, the hamlets of Ohaton (Camrose County) and Clairmont (near Grande Prairie) and in collaboration with the City of Edmonton. This work was led by the Natural Resources Canada (Canadian Wood Fibre Centre), GPRC Centre for Research & Innovation and the University of Alberta. Funding for these projects was provided by Alberta Innovates - Bio Solutions, and businesses and municipalities interested in sustainable rural development, community cost savings and green business opportunities. Over time, site-specific expertise and knowledge has evolved that could be shared among the existing participants, as well as benefit those interested in the establishment of new installations. The formal establishment of AROWRN is intended to facilitate this exchange of information, as is the 2012 conference. The projects, the network of partners, and the research are major steps toward environmentally sustainable and economically viable plantations and approaches to wastewater management, and are in support of rural sustainable development. For more information, please contact Bruce Rutley, Director, Centre for Research & Innovation at brutley@gprc.ab.ca or 780-539-2220.