Research & collaboration

Exploring the Future of a Sustainable Bow Valley

At the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley, we believe that research and collaboration are vital to addressing the complex environmental and social challenges facing our region. We're actively seeking partnerships with academic institutions, community organizations, and independent researchers who share our passion for sustainability, resilience, and community well-being.

potential research questions

We invite collaborators to explore the following areas of inquiry with us:

🐾 Wildfire Planning, Wildlife Movement & More

• How might the development of fireguards impact local wildlife movement and habitat use?

• What are the projected effects of proposed fireguards and the Canmore Area Trail Strategy (CATS) on key wildlife corridors?

• How can wildfire risk mitigation be balanced with ecological connectivity and biodiversity protection?

• What is the carbon cost of building the Canmore fireguard and/or conducting other Firesmart activities?

🌱 Climate Resilience & Local Resources

• To what extent can biochar be produced locally in the Bow Valley, and what is its economic and ecological feasibility?

• What are the potential climate benefits and community uses of a localized biochar system?

• Cumulative impacts/ cumulative effects refer to the combined effects of multiple stressors on the environment. Are current regulatory frameworks adequate for monitoring and managing cumulative impacts in the Bow Valley?  If not, what opportunities exist to better address and manage cumulative impact?

• Nature-based solutions address societal and environmental challenges while simultaneously benefiting people and nature. What opportunities and “low hanging fruit” are available to municipalities when it comes to the application of nature-based solutions?

🔄 Community Engagement & Behavior Change

• How can we more effectively engage the Bow Valley community in deep, long-term behavior change around sustainability?

• What strategies increase adoption of circular economy practices such as repair, reuse, and material sharing?

• What are the barriers and motivators for greater participation in local climate action initiatives?

🧭 Equity, Inclusion & Missing Voices

• What voices and perspectives are currently missing from sustainability and conservation efforts in the Bow Valley?

• What does meaningful partnership with Indigenous Nations and communities look like in practice—and how can we deepen these relationships?

• How can we better include equity-deserving communities and integrate different ways of knowing in our work?

🌍 Engaging Youth & Transient Populations

• What approaches are most effective for engaging young adults and transient residents (e.g., seasonal workers, Banff and Canmore Life participants) in local environmental initiatives?

• How can we foster long-term stewardship in populations with short-term residence or employment in the valley?

🏔️ Tourism and Development in the Bow Valley

• How can tourism growth in the Bow Valley be managed in a way that minimizes ecological impact, particularly through education and behavior change strategies among outdoor recreationists?

• How can tourism in the Bow Valley be managed to support ecological resilience and reduce pressure on natural infrastructure, including trail systems, sensitive habitats, and alpine huts?

• Hotel operations in Banff and Canmore represent a significant source of greenhouse, gas emissions – their ‘carbon footprint’ - and also have a significant ecological footprint. What opportunities and “low hanging fruit” would be embraced by hotel owners when it comes to operations that would decrease these footprints?

🏔️ Bow Valley Industries and Impacts

Given that the valley's three large industrial plants emit over 50% of the valley's total greenhouse gas emissions:

• What has been done by these operators to decarbonize their operations?

• How could groups such as the Biosphere Institute help celebrate and leverage these efforts to encourage other commercial interests to follow suit?

• Do these decarbonization efforts follow best practice?

• If not - what opportunities and “low hanging fruit” might be embraced by operators and governors to accelerate decarbonization?

• How do residents perceive the risks and benefits of these industrial operations, and how do these perceptions influence three levels of government policy and engagement?

past research projects

Click below to explore previous research projects and final reports on various topics:

💡 Want to Collaborate?

If you’re a student, researcher, Indigenous Knowledge Holder, nonprofit, or simply curious about one of these questions—we want to hear from you. Let’s co-create solutions for a more resilient and inclusive Bow Valley.