2026 Nominations Open
Nominations for Alberta’s prestigious Environmental Stewardship Award (ESA) are now open.
The Environmental Stewardship Award recognizes cattle producers who go above and beyond in their commitment to environmental stewardship.
The 2026 ESA recipient(s) will receive a commemorative gate sign and an all-expenses paid trip from anywhere in Alberta to the 2026 Alberta Beef Industry Stampede Summit in Calgary, AB.
Important Details:
- Submission Deadline: Sunday, March 15, 2026, 11:59 p.m.
- Announcement Date: Winners will be announced in July 2026.
Nominate a Beef Operation Today
- Celebrate beef producers who go above and beyond in their commitment to environmental stewardship.
- Showcase our industry’s innovative sustainability practices to a larger audience.
Requirements
All beef cattle farms, feedlots, and ranches in Alberta are eligible for nomination. Operations can be self-nominated by managers or employees or be nominated by an individual or organization.
Past nominees are eligible and encouraged to submit an updated application.
To be considered for the 2026 ESA, nomination submissions must include the following.
Microsoft Word Document
The Word Document must be under 10 pages in length, and include contact information for the nominator and nominee(s); the nominees’ farm name and Google Maps location; and written responses to the following questions.
- Provide a description of the farm/ranch including the environment in which it operates and any historical information.
- What have the nominees done/what are they doing to improve environmental management on the farm (energy, water, land, wildlife, etc.)?
- What are the nominees’ challenges and successes? Please include high-resolution images and data which help show measurable results.
- What factors have enabled the nominees’ to make management changes? For example, working with conservation organizations, government and non-government agencies, forage associations, programs such as the Environmental Farm Plan, education, etc.
- What are the nominees’ environmental goals for the future and how do they plan to carry them out?
- Describe any off-farm employment and how it factors into the nominees’ work on the cattle operation.
- Provide a video presentation link or media stories/broadcasts showcasing the nominees’ stewardship efforts, if available.
Download our template to get started.
Reference Letters
Include two letters of reference that speak to the nominees’ leadership in conservation.
Photos
Attach or include in your submission, a selection of no less than 10 high-resolution images suitable for reproduction on social media, print etc. These might include photos of the nominees on the land, projects accomplished under the nominees’ leadership, or any other images that back up the written application.
Evaluation criteria
The ESA Awarding Committee will consider the nominees’ philosophy and management plan for range/cropland; riparian areas and water; wintering or feeding sites; manure management; wildlife and wildlife habitat; and animal welfare.
They will also consider nominees’ involvement in the community, extension, and environmental stewardship activities, as well as their goals, implementation, and accomplishments.
Submitting nominations
Nominations must be received by Alberta Beef Producers by 11:59 p.m. on March 15, 2026.
The 2026 ESA recipient(s) will be announced at the Alberta Beef Industry Stampede Summit.
By Mail
ATTN: 2026 ESA Nomination
c/o Debra Murphy, Alberta Beef Producers
120-7777 10 ST NE
Calgary AB T2E 8X2
By Email
Subject: 2026 ESA Nomination
Email: debram@albertabeef.org
