New Year, New You!
A New Year’s Resolution is a list of goals you’d like to accomplish in the upcoming year. This tradition is followed by millions of people every year, and it’s a great way to start the year with a positive mind and clear goals!
Sometimes, figuring out what to write on your list can be overwhelming and confusing. So, we are here to offer a helping hand to you if your main goal for 2024 is to reduce your impact on our environment!
More from the Biosphere Team!
Give the Gift of Impact!
We are thrilled and humbled to announce that we have raised $7,565 of our $10,000 goal for the Future Leaders fundraising campaign! Thank you to all of our generous donors!
Could you help us reach our goal by December 25? Donate here and receive a tax-deductible receipt.
Looking for last-minute holiday gift ideas for that tough-to-buy-for person on your list? Why not make a donation in someone's honour and give them a Certificate of Appreciation?
Email tanya@biosphereinstitute.org if you would like to receive a Certificate of Appreciation along with your donation.
The Future Leaders Youth Council recently visited the kind folks at the Roam Transit Hub in Banff. To help us live a more sustainable lifestyle, the youth learned about transit and created a video to promote Teens on Transit.
Roam with us @Future Leaders! Thanks to the valued support of Roam Transit, Pine Tree Players and Snap Beauty Mirrors!
Reusable Cup Program Launched
Exciting news! Banff and Lake Louise have launched their reusable cups program at the Wild Flour café and Little Wild. Residents and visitors can now borrow high-quality, stainless-steel Muuse reusable cups from participating Banff cafés and restaurants. Cups can be returned to any participating location without penalty if the return occurs within 30 days of initial borrow.
The initiative is set to scale through the beginning of 2024 in advance of peak season. Visit one of these participating locations to borrow your cup and help pave the way for this new program. Check out the Biosphere Institute's social media to learn more and see it in action! Photo: @LittleWildCoffeeBanff
Green Team Volunteers Needed!
As we all hop on the circular economy train, help us continue the moment of waste diversion and reduction by signing up as a Green Team Volunteer for the Alberta World Cup at the Nordic Centre (February 7-14, 2024).
Help us work toward a zero-waste event and reduce our carbon footprint by diverting as much waste as possible at this internationally attended event! We will have waste sorting stations throughout the site, both indoors and outdoors, and we need folks who are passionate about our environmental impact and helping achieve our goals! Click here to sign up! Click here to sign up.
Be Aware Bears
These yummy chocolate ‘Be Aware Bears’ make great stocking stuffers, and you will be supporting our work!
Made by Karen, a local chocolatier in the Bow Valley at Nest Wholefoods, these delicious chocolate bears bring together our love for chocolate and bears, hoping to bring more awareness to bears and that our actions matter!
🐻The Bears are 70% Organic fair-trade chocolate, vegan-friendly, gluten-free and are in compostable packages!
🐻10% of every chocolate bear sold will be donated to WildSmart, so by purchasing yours, you will be directly supporting the Biospheres' efforts to improve human-wildlife coexistence in the Bow Valley!
🐻The growing list of Bow Valley businesses supporting this initiative includes Coast Canmore Hotel, Communitea Cafe, Valbella Gourmet Foods, Fairmont Banff Springs and Jolene's Tea House!
If you would like to buy or carry the 'Be Aware Bear' please contact Karen directly at info@nestwholefoods.com
On behalf of the bears in the Bow Valley, thanks for your support!
Upcoming Events!
Dec 1 - 31 - Rotary Festival of Trees
The Freedom Trail with Angus Cockney
Wander through the magical forest of trees and wreaths inside the Malcolm Hotel and find the Biosphere Institute's very own upcycled interactive tree!
A huge thank you to Karen Keech for sponsoring our tree this year :-)
Jan 20 - Winter Safety Day
Join Alberta Parks and The Friends of Kananaskis Country for this free event from 11 am-3 pm. There will be many things to do and see all surrounding winter safety. Experience how to read avalanche terrain, use a transceiver, build an emergency shelter, meet an avalanche dog, learn about winter animal tracks, and much more! WildSmart and the Wildlife Ambassadors will also be there to chat with folks about winter wildlife safety and responsible trail use. Click here to see all the groups and presenters who have confirmed their attendance so far.
There will be fun and learning for the whole family. Bring a travel mug to enjoy some hot chocolate. We hope to see you there!
Jan 15 - Earth Talks
Wildlife Corridors in the Bow Valley: The Good, the Bad, and the Future.
Join Dr. Hilary Young, Director of Communities and Conservation, Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, at the Canmore Public Library for their presentation "Wildlife Corridors in the Bow Valley: The Good, the Bad, and the Future."
This Earth Talks event, in partnership with the Canmore Public Library, will take place on Monday, January 15th, in the Friends Program Room at 7:00 pm.
Attendees will learn:
What are wildlife corridors, why are they important, and why do I hear so much about them in the Bow Valley?
What characteristics must wildlife corridors have to keep wildlife populations healthy and resilient?
How do we keep our corridors functional in the face of future pressures?
LEARN MORE HERE
Put Your Waste to Good Use!
Looking for new ways to help us out? We've partnered with SkipTheDepot. Download the app, book a pickup, place your bags and donate your refund directly to the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley. No hassle waste recycling straight to your door!
