Residents across the Bow Valley recently gathered to talk about what matters most — protecting the place we call home. The Biosphere Institute’s All-Candidates Forums on the Environment in Banff and Canmore brought together candidates and community members to explore local solutions for wildlife coexistence, climate resilience, and sustainable growth.
These conversations reminded us that meaningful change starts at the local level through dialogue, participation, and informed voting. As communities built on shared values of stewardship and collaboration, every resident has a role in shaping a sustainable Bow Valley.
Watch the full forums on YouTube:
Banff Forum | Canmore Forum
Municipal Election Day: Monday, October 20, 2025
Learn more about voting locations and advance polls at your town’s website:
Banff | Canmore
What We Heard: Key Themes from the Forums
Wildfire Preparedness
Candidates supported continued fire mitigation, including the community fire guard, early detection systems, and stronger coordination with other governments.
Climate Action
There was broad backing for local programs like energy retrofits, solar and EV incentives, and a potential conservation land fund to protect natural areas.
Wildlife and Growth
Many spoke about protecting wildlife corridors and taking a balanced, cautious approach to future development.
Waste and Circular Economy
Waste diversion and reuse initiatives were seen as key to reducing emissions and supporting a sustainable community.
Collaboration and Communication
Candidates emphasized partnerships, education, and transparent communication as vital to long-term success.
Why Voting Matters for the Climate
Local governments are on the front lines of climate action. Their decisions shape how we grow, move, and adapt, influencing everything from building standards and waste programs to urban forests and energy plans.
When we vote with the environment in mind, we’re choosing a future that reflects our shared values of conservation and community. Even small policy shifts at the local level can ripple into major progress on climate resilience.
From Awareness to Action
Civic engagement doesn’t end at the ballot box. Staying involved keeps momentum strong for local climate initiatives.
Ways to stay engaged:
Follow the Towns’ climate action updates
Re-watch the forums and share them with your network
Get involved with environmental organizations in the Bow Valley
Sign up for future Shift newsletters to keep learning and connecting
Take Action
Community Wildfire Resilience
Thanks to generous support from the G7, we have partnered with the Town of Canmore to support residential and neighborhood wildfire resilience education!
Fire Ready Ambassador Program
As part of this project we have launched a door knocking campaign that helps educate residents about reducing wildfire risk on their own properties. We are also sharing information about the Neighborhood Recognition Program and encouraging residents to connect with their neighbors to see an even greater impact.
This program is running from August 21st to October 16th, 2025 and we hope to visit as many homes as possible in that time. In fact, we have already made an impact in just a short time!
So far we have:
Visited over 400 homes in the Larch, Canyon Rd, and Silvertip neighborhoods
90% of residents we spoke to committed to taking action to reduce wildfire risk on their own property
Supporting the Neighborhood Recognition Program
Wildfire resilience is best achieved when we all work together. That’s why we are happy to help promote the Neighborhood Recognition Program (NRP) and support Canmore residents as they connect with their neighbors. Learn more about the NRP by visiting canmore.ca/NRP.
Want support connecting with your neighbors? We are happy to help! Reach out to grace@biosphereinstitute.org and start building community while creating a safer neighborhood.
Check out the video below to see how residents in the Peaks of Grassi are banding together and taking action in their neighborhood!
Upcoming Events
EVs are for EVeryone Cross-Canada Tour
📍 Canmore Recreation Centre, 1900 8 Ave (at the back of the building)
🗓️ October 2–19, Thurs–Sun, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
We’ve partnered with Plug’n Drive, a national nonprofit and leader in EV education, to bring free electric vehicle test drives to Canmore!
Test drive eight EVs from leading manufacturers
Explore the Mobile EV Education Trailer
Chat with EV ambassadors about charging, costs, and winter driving
Book your free test drive: plugndrive.ca/meet-canmore
Take Me Outside Day
🗓️ October 22, 2025
Join nearly one million learners and educators celebrating the importance of getting outside and learning from nature!
Commit to spending one hour outdoors on Wednesday, October 22
Enjoy free resources, prizes, and inspiring guest speakers
Share your experience with #TakeMeOutsideDay
We’re proud to be one of more than 100 outdoor learning partners supporting this national movement.
Click here to register for free!
Banff Share and Repair Fair
📍 Fenlands Recreation Centre Concourse
🗓️ Sunday, October 26, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Join the Town of Banff and the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley for a fun, FREE community event celebrating the circular economy. Explore on-site repairs, hands-on workshops, live music, and community connection—plus free Frankie D’s donuts!
Special Workshop Highlight: Join Iethka (Stoney) artists Kyle Kaquitts and Jarron Poucette for a hands-on session where you’ll bead and assemble your own buckskin medicine bag necklace. The workshop begins with a smudge ceremony and stories about honouring all parts of the animal.
From Patagonia to Community Cruisers, discover an array of local businesses and organizations driving reuse, repair, upcycling, and sharing across the Bow Valley.
Click here to RSVP for free and be entered to win prizes and get first access to workshop sign-up!
Quirky Climate Fashion Show
📍 Creekside Hall, Canmore
🗓️ Thursday, October 30, 7 p.m.
Join the Mountain Grannies and the Biosphere Institute for a fun, creative, and thought-provoking evening where fashion meets climate action. Original, story-filled garments bring humour and colour to the climate conversation.
Tickets: $40 (includes wine, cheese & crackers)
All proceeds support the Stephen Lewis Foundation and the Biosphere Institute.
Click here to get your tickets!
Building for Sustainability Symposium
📍 Malcolm Hotel, Canmore
🗓️ November 6–7, 2025
Our third annual symposium brings together builders, designers, and innovators to explore climate-ready, sustainable buildings. Event Highlights:
7 field trips | 2 keynote speakers | 17 workshops | Panel discussion
Click here to register today
Half-day Friday registration available.
ENBIX Builder Training Workshops
📍 Grande Rockies Resort, Canmore
🗓️ Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Join Joseph Henke for a day of practical builder training presented by ENBIX with support from the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley.
Morning Session (9 a.m.–12 p.m.)
Ground Source Heat Pumps for Builders – This training session will look at the fundamentals of Ground Source Heat Pumps in Alberta, examining design considerations and case studies. Click here to register for free
Afternoon Session (1:00–4:00 p.m.)
Building Envelope Fundamentals – This training session will look at the critical functions of the building envelope in residential applications and the importance of air tightness, thermal bridging and below grade insulation. Click here to register for free
Square Dance Fundraiser - Do-Si-Do for the Biosphere!
📍 Cornerstone Theatre, Canmore
🗓️ Friday, November 21, 2025
⏰ Doors 6:30 p.m. | Dance 7:30 p.m.
Dust off your boots for an evening of live music, laughter, and community fun! Enjoy light snacks, prizes, and a lively square dance led by a professional caller — no experience needed. Early Bird: $35 | General: $45
Click here to get your early bird tickets!
Career Opportunities
ClimateSmart Program Coordinator (Maternity Leave Cover)
The Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley is seeking a temporary Program Coordinator to lead our ClimateSmart program. This role involves developing and delivering community education and engagement initiatives focused on climate change and sustainability, including sustainable buildings, electric vehicles, active transportation, and the circular economy.
The coordinator will collaborate with local partners, help identify funding opportunities, and support education around climate adaptation, including wildfire risk reduction.
