Energy Efficiency in your Home
Are you thinking about increasing the comfort of your home?
You can take action to increase your home's energy efficiency, reduce your energy bills, and make your home more comfortable.
When did you last change your furnace filter, checked your door and window weather stripping, or programmed your thermostat? Can we count on you to take one action this month to increase your home's energy efficiency?
Browse the resources linked in the infographic below for ideas on high- and low-cost actions, or visit our 2019 energy efficiency workshops for more inspiration.
Worried about financing?
Are you aware of all the environmental rebates and incentives available to residents and organizations in the Bow Valley? From fruit tree removal to electric cars to home improvements, check out our page for a full list to browse the rebates and incentives available:
Curious to learn more? Come to the 2024 Green Buildings Open House between 11 am and 4 pm on June 1st. ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Green Buildings Open House - June 1, 2024
The Bow Valley's Sustainable Transportation Showcase!
This year’s Green Buildings Open House tour has ten homes across the Bow Valley, including Passive House construction, deep energy retrofits, geo-exchange systems, biomass district energy and a net zero home. All that along with solar, electric vehicles and more!
This is an open-house tour. When the homes are open, you can make your own way there, and the homeowners and volunteers will show you around. You do not need to register in advance for the tour unless you wish to view the Spring Creek site in Canmore, where registration for a specific tour time is mandatory. REGISTER HERE.
Bring your friends; we’ll see you on the FREE tour on Saturday, June 1! CLICK HERE to view the properties and plan your tour!
Volunteers Needed! Are you free on June 1st? We still need a few volunteers to help with various tasks at the Green Buildings Open House. Click the button below to find out more and sign up!
Home Energy Evaluation Toolkit (HEET)
Many households prioritize energy efficiency, but knowing where to begin can be challenging. We are here to help!
Our Home Energy Evaluation Toolkit will allow you to determine how energy is used in your home; then, refer to the HEET guide for tips and strategies to improve your home's energy efficiency.
It’s a Do-It-Yourself home energy audit!
This HEET toolkit provides a simple, step-by-step guide to reducing energy usage. It includes tools to assess how efficiently your home uses energy. These tools are easy to use. You don’t have to be handy—you just need to be able to follow a few simple instructions.
COMING SOON to the Biosphere Institutes Tool Lending Library!
We Want to Hear From You!
Deadline: May 24
We here at the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley are undertaking a renewal of our Strategic Plan to guide us through the next 3-5 years. As a valued Biosphere community member, we would appreciate you taking some time (just a couple of minutes, honest!) to provide us with your feedback and advice by completing this survey.
We will incorporate your feedback from your survey and use it to guide the board and staff’s strategic planning session in June. By midsummer, we will post the new strategic plan online.
Please click here to fill out the survey.
Many thanks for giving us your valuable feedback!
For reference, you may wish to review the current existing plan here
Our Recent Highlights!
2024 Clean Commute Expo
THANK YOU to all who attended today with curiosity, expertise, open dialogue and trailblazing commitment to low-carbon transport options on a day of brilliant blue sunny skies and mountain backdrops!
What should Albertans know about electric vehicles and low-carbon transport options?
On May 4 and 5, 2024, the Clean Commute Expo connected the EV-curious with EV owners, retailers, and community groups. The event focused on supporting the transition away from Internal Combustion Engines and promoting alternative forms of transportation beyond personal vehicles.
Here's what our exhibitors had to say!
Canmore Brew Co. Charity Tap!
Throughout the month of June, come by the Canmore Brew Co. for a pint for a good cause!
Our friends at the Canmore Brew Co. will be donating a portion of the profits of their featured charity tap to the Biosphere Institute! We are so grateful for this partnership and look forward to hosting a few events there throughout the month:
Clean Commute Challenge! Every day in June that you cycle, walk, take public transit, or use any other form of low-carbon transportation, tag us to be entered to win a draw for some awesome prizes, including a night for two at the Chateau Lake Louise Fairmont, a $200 gift certificate to Basecamp Resorts, and some local swag. All you need to do is follow and tag @Biosphere.Institute on Instagram to be entered. There are unlimited entries per person.
Joys of Bow Valley Gardening: Make your own herb garden - Details coming soon!
Songs for Climate Concert - Details coming soon!
Tales from the Trails - Details coming soon!
Upcoming Events!
Flower Moon Swap - May 24 & 25, 2024
For this month's swap, the Canmore Library has teamed up with The Homelessness Society of the Bow Valley to help our community prepare for spring!
The Canmore Library presents a series of monthly Full Moon Swaps held on or around the full moon. Each swap will have a theme connected to the name of the full moon that month. They encourage community members to bring gently used items they no longer need or want to the CPL on the day of the swap as a donation. Items will be displayed on tables and available for anyone to take home with them, so please be sure the items you bring are prepared to give away. Everything is FREE, and everyone is welcome! You do not need to donate items to attend or take items home.
Monthly Climate Conversations - May 29, 2024
Join us for our series of Community Climate Conversations! No prior experience or knowledge is necessary—come out to find community connections, inspiration, and answers to some of the climate solutions that apply to the Bow Valley!
Bow Valley Climate Action and the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley will invite participants to share their climate concerns and questions and will create a safe space where you can learn, share, be inspired - and work together to create climate solutions that address your concerns.
When: Wednesday, May 29, 2024, 7 to 9 PM.
Where: Office of Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley, second floor of the Senior's Center in downtown Canmore: 201-600 9th St. Canmore, AB.
No need to RSVP – just show up with your questions, concerns, hopes, and enthusiasm as, together, we explore our climate challenges and opportunities and work together towards solutions!
Living with wildlife - May 29, 2024
Join the Canmore Young Adult Network for an exclusive screening of the captivating short film "Living With Wildlife," directed by Canmore local Leanne Allison, at Canmore Brewing!
When: Wednesday, May 29, 2024, 6 PM.
Where: Canmore Brewing Company - Cost: by donation; registration recommended!
Indulge in delicious pizza slices available for sale by Canmore Brewing, or grab an ice-cold beer to enjoy during the screening!
Discover how communities have united over the past two decades to coexist peacefully with wildlife. From innovative conservation efforts to grassroots initiatives, witness the inspiring journey of cooperation and understanding that has shaped the Bow Valley into a model of successful wildlife management.
Following the screening, don't miss the opportunity to engage with director Leanne Allison and wildlife biologist Karsten Heuer in a thought-provoking Q&A session. Gain deeper insights into the making of the film, the challenges faced in wildlife conservation, and the ongoing efforts to maintain human-wildlife coexistence.
June 17 - Earth Talks
Disaster Preparedness in a Changing Climate
Join us with Caitlin Miller at the Canmore Public Library for her presentation, “Disaster Preparedness in a Changing Climate”.
This Earth Talks event will take place on Monday, June 17, 2024 in the Friends Program Room at 7:00pm.
Attendees will learn:
How the Town of Canmore prepares for disasters
How a changing climate affects the way municipalities prepare for disasters
What actions attendees can take to be prepared for disasters
Admission is FREE, with donations graciously accepted.
Tipi Raising Ceremony - June 14, 2024
Join the Canmore Museum for a Tipi-Raising Ceremony to celebrate the start of their Indigenous Stories Tipi Program. Îyârhe Nakoda interpreters will guide you through the ceremony of raising a tipi and explain the cultural significance behind the practice. Participants are encouraged to participate in the raising and experience the drumming and dance of this special ceremony.
When: Friday, June 14, 2024, 6:30 - 7:30 PM.
Where: NWMP Barracks, 609 8th Street, Canmore
This event is free and drop in, but RSVP’s are greatly appreciated.
