Christmas Tree Recycling Program makes for a greener holiday season

Calgary's annual Tree Recycling program sees your Christmas conifer re-purposed into mulch instead of a landfill landmark.

"Last year we kept approximately 35,000 trees out of the landfill," said Darcy Cairns, superintendent of programs for Waste and Recycling Services with the City. "It's easy to participate - we collect trees from homes and there are also eight drop off locations to bring your trees to. The great thin is that the trees are turned into mulch that residents can use for gardening and landscaping afterwards."

There are more than 750 evaluated historic resources in Calgary.

There are more than 50 buildings provincially recognized as heritage places.

Here's a few images from some of Calgary's most recognized historic buildings.

Share your favourite in the comments section below.

Winter is here.

Calgary gets an average of 129 centimetres of snow in a year. While this can be a headache for some drivers and shovellers, it's also an opportunity to head out with the family and explore the winter wonderland in both Calgary and area.

The City of Calgary suggests changing up some holiday acts to decrease environmental impact

The City is urging residents to green up their season this year with some easy tips.

"It doesn't have to be complicated to cut back our environmental impact this time of year," said Claire Beckstead, corporate environmental specialist witht he City. "There are many simple green actions Calgarians can take that lessen our impact on the environment while keeping the fun and excitement of the season."

Reportedly taking its name from the distinctive (at least if you use a little imagination) nose-like hillsides that surround the area, the Nose Hill Natural Environment Park – as it's officially known – is one of the largest municipal parks in North America.

Encompassing 11 square kilometres of native grassland in Northwest Calgary, the park was created in 1980 after citizens spoke out against a plan to turn the area into a residential development.

Read up on raising plants before the spring showers start to fall

Want to become a better gardener next spring? Start reading about it now.

No, seriously.

The most common winter gardening activity is reading. The cheapest source of information is seed catalogues – they are packed with inspiration.

I learn so many new things from catalogues. According to The Baker Creek Heirloom seed catalogue , 300 independent farmers grow and supply their seed; tulip flowers are edible and delicious when stuffed and baked; there are at least 15 kinds of orange tomatoes, and; Peru is a domesticated crop hot spot.