What We Do
We are creative problem solvers that believe we can make our lives environmentally sustainable one step at a time. We’re a no-nonsense, constructive and very practical group of people that believe in the power of each person and each action no matter how small.
We’re about the people that live, work or recreate in our community. We work with our community to engage youth, residents, visitors, and local businesses in developing strategies, providing workshops, sharing information and developing practical solutions that are realistic and make a positive impact in their lives and in the environment.
We share information that is clear, down to earth and practical. Information that makes sense and helps create good choices. We facilitate big and small sustainable actions that make positive impacts.
The Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley is making a difference:
- Advising local permanent and semi-permanent residents of the local communities of Banff, Canmore and Exshaw on how to reduce their waste, water, and energy use
- Engaging thousands of local youth in environmental issues through workshops, movie-screenings and presentations
- Helping restore aquatic habitat throughout the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country (4,500 kg of invasive plants and garbage removed to date)
- Compiling local social, demographic, environmental, and economic data for Canmore Community Monitoring Reports to track important trends over time
- Educating over 19,000 residents and visitors on how to avoid human-wildlife conflict through our WildSmart program
Our Institute received national and international awards for our programs including: 2016 Green Communities Canada Youth Engagement Award; 2016 and 2014 Green Community of the Year Award; and SHIFT 2014 Sustainability Award – Jackson Hole, Wyoming
- These awards recognize the many champions who work and volunteer with Green Communities Canada and its member organizations. We were recognized as a trendsetter in transformational programming, partnerships, marketing, and community engagement; and for our programs that provide opportunities for youth to engage in active hands-on learning to better understand environmental stewardship (2016 GCC Awards found here).