Upcycling campaign values and t-shirts: From the Bighorn Proposal to “Save our Slopes”

It seems like it was not long ago that CPAWS Northern Alberta, alongside other environmental organizations, were gaining momentum for increased protection in Alberta’s Bighorn Country (the Rocky Mountains just west of Nordegg). However, the tides of provincial government changed in 2019, and momentum for the Bighorn Country proposal was no longer.

Countless volunteers collected petition signatures and proudly wore shirts promoting their love of the Bighorn. Now, the fight for increased protection and conservation for the region lives through a different lens: the threat of new coal development and exploration in Alberta’s eastern slopes.

Partnering with Blenderz, we are celebrating and reflecting on the iterative and shape-shifting nature of conservation campaigns over the years through an upcycled craft! Using overstock of CPAWS Northern Alberta’s Bighorn and “love your headwaters” t-shirts, you’ll learn to make a rug using completely upcycled materials.

These colourful, hard-wearing and washable rugs use up as many pounds of fabric as you would like depending on how large a rug you want to make. Upcycle excess fabric and unusable textiles to create a product that lasts forever.

In this class, we’ll show you the braided-in method and get you started on making your own. We can’t wait for you to have a new obsession too.

Ticket proceeds cover the workshop fee from Blenderz, supporting a local business dedicated to sustainability.