Last week we told you all about the ongoing efforts the Calgary Stampede is demonstrating can be undertaken to minimize the environmental impact of a major event. The 10-day exhibition and rodeo is consistently working on new initiatives to add some green to the event and all of the behind-the-scenes action throughout the rest of the year. Ecollo was recently taken on a tour of the grounds by Cori Thiessen, environmental coordinator for the Stampede, and shown the different programs offered by the organization, such as extensive recycling, efficient technology and new transportation. It doesn't stop there though - read on to discover the other ways the event is being eco-friendly.

Land and river conservation
The Stampede grounds are situated along the Elbow River and the Stampede organization goes to great lengths to ensure the river and its aquatic life are thoroughly protected. All Stampede employees participate in an annual riverbank clean-up, from which three to seven tonnes of waste is collected, which many including anything from slabs of concrete to refrigerators.

Certain drains in the park are also marked with yellow fish to indicate the drain flows directly to the river and extra caution should be taken to ensure they are kept clear of any harmful materials. As such, any use of detergents or soaps in non-designated areas is prohibited to prevent the chemicals from entering the water system. Park staff are also careful to ensure any and all spills are immediately cleaned up.

In 2005, the river banks experienced significant erosion thanks to an onslaught of inclement weather, including rain, hail and melting snow. The Stampede organization decided to utilize advancements in bio-engineering to help restore the river to its natural state and prevent further damage in the future and installed willow wattle fencing. Cori explained this innovative fencing uses live willow stakes and cuttings from the local Ghost River area; the stakes are driven into the ground and the cuttings are then woven through. Over time, a natural "living wall" is formed as the stakes sprout live branches and take root. This whole process creates a natural barrier for erosion control, eliminating the need for man-made methods such as a concrete wall.

As the river continues to recover, the organization plans to completely move operations off of the riverbank within the next three to five years.

Parking
Nobody is paving paradise to put up a parking lot here - even this aspect has been taken into consideration as the grounds have undergone several design changes. Storm sceptors were installed in parking lots and are designed to separate sediment, hydrocarbons and oils from the waste water. This prevents these contaminants from entering the water system. The sceptors are vacuumed out with special equipment on an annual basis, at which time approximately four feet of sediment and 12 to 14 inches of oils and hydrocarbons are captured. The contaminants are separated from the waste water, and both contaminants and waste water are disposed of safely and properly.

Initiatives to protect surrounding land and water aren't necessarily restricted to big programs or initiatives. When new parking lots were constructed years ago, the Stampede organization went as far as to protect a tree, estimated to be 200 to 300 years old and considered a historical landmark in the city. Plans for the parking lot were adjusted to build around the tree and ensure it remained standing for hundreds of years more.

Animal treatment
One major misconception many individuals have about rodeos is the treatment of animals, paticularly in events such as bareback riding. The gist of bareback riding is that a competitor must hang onto a bucking horse with one hand for eight seconds without being thrown off or touching the horse with their free hand. It's long been rumoured that flanks are tied to an animal's genitalia to cause them to buck wildly. This commonly held belief is absolutely untrue, emphasizes Cori. In fact, the flanks you see attached to horses are made of a very soft sheepskin and are not fastened too tightly, so as to not irritate or hurt the animal. In fact, the natural instinct of a horse when scared or in pain is to run away, not buck.

Rather, the horses used in competition are especially bred from long lines of horses that have a natural propensity to buck. As Cori points out, the animals involved in the Stampede are treated as professional athletes. And just in case you're wondering about accountability in terms of animal treatment, the Stampede actually works closely with the Alberta SPCA and the Calgary Humane Society to ensure proper safety measures are being followed, and both organizations are present on-site during the events to monitor animal treatment.

You can learn more about the Calgary Stampede (including how to attend if you'll be in the area in July!) after the jump, and be sure to check back on Wednesday to learn how the Stampede injects some green during the actual event!

» Calgary Stampede (Official Site)