The town itself has received several awards as well, including the Leadership in Sustainability Award, a silver medal for 'Communities under 20,000' and a gold medal for 'Solar Initiatives' through the International Awards for Livable Communities.

With thoughtful planning and fiscal responsibility, Okotoks is walking the walk of being an eco-friendly community. Housing density, open space, and water consumption are all factors in their plan to manage the city's predicted future population of 30,000 people. There are approximately 20,000 residents living there today.

In addition to managing infrastructure, Okotoks is also committed to keeping urban forest and green spaces as vital and respected parts of the community. An example of this can be found in Okotoks Air Ranch, which is one of the few airpark communities in Canada. The homes in this very special neighborhood not only have access to a private grass runway and their own airplane hangars, but they're also surrounded by an abundance of open space and a 23-acre reserve of protected land. Here, local plants and wildlife are free to thrive in their natural habitat—and residents can enjoy the view.

Okotoks is a wonderful example of how communities can satisfy the needs of residents and local businesses, as well as take care of the environment. By taking steps now to monitor growth and encourage sustainable practices, the community of Okotoks is preserving its environmental heritage—and its future. M Shane