Help keep the air healthy and save fuel and money. Join others across Alberta and pledge to stop needless idling.

As a member of the Alberta Airsheds Council (AAC), PRAMP is supporting the 60 Seconds or Less campaign to improve air quality.

Drivers are asked to pledge to idle for 60 seconds or less when parked. Visit Alberta Airsheds Council for info and free downloadable resources. 

“I am very grateful for people caring about the air we breathe,” said Nampa Public School student Olivia after a visit from PRAMP’s Education and Outreach Coordinator Eileen Coristine.

Since September, Eileen has visited 16 Peace River area classrooms to share information with students about air quality and its impacts.

The school presentations include a PRAMP video taken at local apiaries which highlights the importance of air quality for bees. 

“I like that you are raising awareness about bees and what we can do to help save them,” says grade five student Elizabeth.

Students also learn about PRAMP’s new air monitoring station and how it provides information for the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) which warns of poor air quality. Many students have been directly impacted by air quality and shared stories about wildfire smoke.

PRAMP’s next school adventure will be visiting grade four classes to introduce vermiculture and provide materials including red wiggler worms to help reduce the amount of compostable material in landfills.

Q: What prompted Woodland Cree First Nation to ask for new air monitoring in the area?
A: Woodland Cree members were interested in the air quality in the surrounding area regarding odors from various work projects, odors from the river, and smoke from forest fires that affect our children and elders who have asthma. We have been trying to get air monitoring in our area for a few years and were very happy when we heard that there would be an air monitoring station in Cadotte Lake.

Q: What does the community hope for with the new air monitoring station?
A: We hope for clarity to make sure we are living with good air quality on our reserve and hope we get good results.

Q: What reactions have you heard about the station?
A: Members are happy and we had a good turnout on a busy work day at our open house meeting. Some members also went to the site and asked questions.

Q: Anything else you would like to say?
A: Woodland Cree First Nation is very pleased and would like to thank PRAMP for making the air monitoring station a reality. We are looking forward to the air quality reports, not only in our area but also the Peace River region.