Denys O’Keefe is an Environmental Specialist with the City of Calgary whose work focuses on improving the environmental performance of the Water Utility. His work involves the maintenance and implementation of an environmental management system under ISO14001:2015, scoped to Calgary’s drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems. By liaising with regulators and managing elements of spill response and reporting, he strives to help better protect our precious water resources.
Denys holds a Bachelor of Science in Ecology from the University of Calgary and is currently working on a Master of Science in Environment and Management from Royal Roads University. Since entering the environmental sector 8 years ago, he has held a variety of roles which have allowed him to explore everything from environmental education and outreach to water quality monitoring to environmental compliance.
Denys has been a member of ECO Canada since 2015, holding the EP designation since 2023. Over the years he has participated in a variety of volunteer initiatives, including but not limited to several ECO Canada mentorship programs both as a mentee and a mentor, and sitting on the EP Champion committee since 2023. Through his work and volunteering, Denys strives to help preserve the natural areas he loves, give back to the environmental community, and further grow and develop his environmental skill set.
In the spirit of respect, reciprocity, and truth, we acknowledge that we live, work, and gather on the traditional territories of the peoples of Treaty 7, including the Blackfoot Confederacy—comprising the Siksika, Kainai, and Piikani Nations—as well as the Îyâxe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina Nations.
This land, known as Moh’kinsstis in the Blackfoot language and encompassing what is now Districts 5 and 6, is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3, within the historical Northwest Métis homeland.
We recognize and honour the deep connection these Nations have to the land, and we are grateful for the opportunity to share in its stewardship.
As we continue our work, we commit to learning from Indigenous knowledge systems, uplifting Indigenous voices, and fostering relationships rooted in equity, understanding, and reconciliation.
