Regardless of the snow squalls and cooler temperatures, Springtime in the Rockies marches on! Calypso Orchids (pictured) are cropping up in mossy fringes and meadows.
Despite her delicate beauty and enticing colours, this dainty flower, also known as a Fairy Slipper, produces no nectar. Instead, she attracts early bumblebees and pollinators with a sweet vanilla scent in exchange for them transporting pollen. A deceitful bloom!
The burst of heat from the sun also means other plants such as Prairie Smoke, Crocus and Clematis are blossoming. The birds show no sign of slowing their dawn song and the wildlife (including students!) are exploding with energy.
Here’s a collection of stories and resources to support you in connecting your lessons to the environment.
Stories from the Field
April 22nd Earth Day
Together with the Grade 2 and 5 classes at École Notre-Dame des Monts as well as the Into the Wild program in Banff, we successfully diverted 30lbs of scrap paper from the recycling stream by making our own paper!
We also added wildflower seeds to the paper. Some of the students chose to gift their paper while others put it under dirt for sprouting!
May 7-9: Outdoor Learning Conference, Banff AB
Îsniyes to Carlene and Tracey for sharing their Îyethka stories and perspectives at the Outdoor Learning Conference. Together with Heidi, we presented to over 40 educators from across Canada about the Ways of Bison program and how we engage a two-eyed seeing perspective to teach students how the Bison is both a cultural and ecological keystone species.
May 19th: Ways of the Bison program at Star 6 Ranch
Grade 4 students from Nakoda Elementary School and École Notre-Dame des Monts met one another and shared in a day of learning from Stoney Nakoda Elders, Parks Canada and the land at Star 6 Ranch. Îsniyes to Cassandra Poucette, Tracey Stevens and Duane Mark for sharing their stories.
We’d also like to thank Star 6 Ranch for hosting us, Parks Canada for sharing about the Banff National Park Bison reintroduction and NSERC for funding this project.
If you’d like to host a lesson about Bison or be involved in the 2027 Ways of the Bison program, please send Heidi an email with your grade and the desired curriculum you’d like integrated (e.g. Grade 9 Biological Diversity).
April - June: Wildlife Safety & Bear Spray Training
We continue to offer our invaluable wildlife safety programs. Prepare students and staff with information on how to avoid and handle wildlife encounters with helpful tips and practical bear spray training (Grade 7 and up).
The wildlife safety programs are delivered at no-cost to local schools in the Bow Valley. For additional bear spray training, we charge a $25 fee for each can of inert bear spray (typically works for 2-3 students per can). Email Heidi to request a wildlife safety program.
Resources & Events
Leading into June National Month of Indigenous History, our team will be participating in the 4 Seasons of Indigenous Learning presented by the Outdoor Learning Store. We’re excited to share a 25% Discount Code for the course with you!
To access the course discount, upon registering enter: 4Seasons25%
Every Thursday: Future Leaders Youth Council
Do you know a student in Grade 8-12 who is passionate about climate change, the environment and change?
We have a group of passionate students who meet after school and are always keen for new members. Meetings in Canmore at the Biosphere Institute office are 4:30-6pm on the first and third Thursday of the month. Meetings in Banff at the Banff Public Library are 4:30-6pm on the first and third Thursday of the month. Email jackie@biosphereinstitute.org for more information.
Check out this new initiative by the Biosphere Institute and partners! ReUse Bow Valley is a community group on Facebook dedicated to sharing, reusing, and redistributing materials from construction, renovation, and demolition projects. Members can post items to give away, trade, or request—helping keep useful materials out of the landfill and supporting a more circular economy in the Bow Valley. Household items that can be reused are also welcome.
More Helpful Links
CPAWS Southern Alberta is hiring! Interim Education Director (FT, parental leave coverage) and Interpretive Hiking Guide
Check out these amazing FREE webinars from Green Learning. They provide curriculum-connected resources and inspiration across grade levels and content.
Are you a lifelong learning looking to improve their practice? Check out these incredible Professional Development opportunities from the Outdoor Learning Store and partners.
MUSIC! The Pine Project out of Toronto Bring your classroom learning outdoors for a song (or two) with these earthy songs.
Hot off the press! Updated Banff Wildlife Crossings video brings the secret lives of wildlife into view with remarkable wildlife camera footage. Your students will love seeing the Grizzly Bear rub the tree!
Buffalo Lessons: How Bison Returned to Banff National Park by Karsten Heuer is a remarkable read. Watch the book trailer here. Books are available to purchase online or Cafe Books in Canmore (shop local!).