With the holiday season right around the corner, this is a wonderful time to reflect on how small choices can make our celebrations more sustainable. From travel to gift giving, there are many simple ways to reduce waste while keeping the season joyful and meaningful. Whether you are gathering with friends, spending time outdoors, or enjoying quiet moments at home, these ideas can help make your holidays merry, bright, and environmentally friendly.
Holiday Waste by Numbers
These facts highlight the impact our seasonal choices can have.
Within 6 months, only 1% of the average person's purchases are still in use. The remaining 99% has been discarded.
In Canada, approximately 545,000 tonnes of waste come from gift wrapping and shopping bags each year.
Household waste can increase by more than 25% during the holiday season.
Canadians use an estimated 6 million rolls of tape to wrap gifts each year.
These numbers remind us the even small shifts in how we celebrate can create meaningful positive change.
Sustainable Holiday Tips ❄️
Travel
While a one horse open sleigh is a charming image, there are practical ways to reduce travel related emissions.
Reduce travel when possible or choose airlines that offer carbon offset options.
Consider lower carbon transportation such as trains or buses.
Carpool with friends or family, and combine several shorter trips into one larger visit.
Enjoy a staycation and explore your favorite trails, winter activities, or community events.
Food
Holiday meals can be festive and delicious while still being mindful of the environment.
Shop local and seasonal to support producers and reduce transportation emissions.
Plan meals carefully to minimize food waste and encourage guests to bring containers for leftovers.
Add a few plant forward dishes to your holiday spread.
Make sure to compost your inedible food scraps.
Decorations
Transform your home with creativity and sustainable materials.
Use natural decor such as pinecones, evergreen branches, holly, or dried citrus.
Visit Crossway Community Thrift or other local thrift stores for second hand decorations.
If you prefer a real tree, choose one from a local and sustainably managed farm.
Gifts
Thoughtful gifts can be sustainable, personal, and memorable.
Choose thrifted and handmade items that are unique and meaningful.
Give experiences such as museum passes, workshops, ski days, or cooking classes.
Consider digital gifts, subscriptions, or a donation in someone's honor.
Wrap gifts using reusable bags, scarves, newspaper, or fabric wrapping techniques such as furoshiki.
Try a Secret Santa or gift exchange to lower consumption.
Photo Credit: https://www.planetnatural.com/sustainable-christmas-ideas/
Giving Tuesday: Support Community Led Climate Action
This Giving Tuesday, we are celebrating the our Community Hub program which remains at the heart of our creative and community led climate action.
Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, we supported community projects such as Grow and Glow with Ethiocare, the Jam for Jasper benefit concerts, the Indigenous Healing Circle, and several youth, arts, and culture based initiatives. We also delivered programming that supports community wellbeing and climate resilience. These include Active Hope workshops, monthly Earth Talks, the Library of Things, and our Share and Repair Fairs.
Help us reach our goal of raising $10,000 by January 1st by clicking here!
What Your Giving Tuesday Gift Makes Possible 💚
$25 — Spark a Skill Share
Covers costs for a local repairer or sewer at our Share & Repair Fair. This keeps cherished items out of the landfill while building confidence and community know-how.
$50 — Equip a Climate Wellness Workshop
Provides supplies for hands-on sessions that support climate resilience, reduce eco-anxiety, and invite people to take meaningful action in ways that feel grounding and hopeful.
$100 — Host a Free Earth Talk (with a donor shout-out!)
Helps bring together experts, artists, youth, and knowledge keepers. We’ll happily recognize your contribution at the event—or keep it anonymous if you prefer.
$250 — Support a Community-Led Collaboration
Covers venue space, facilitation, translation, elder honoraria, or art supplies for projects like Grow & Glow, the Animal Pride panel, or a future youth- or arts-led initiative.
$500 — Fund a Community Micro-Grant
Fully supports a grassroots climate or social-ecological project—helping someone’s idea become something real and transformative in the Bow Valley.
$1,000 — Power a Season of Creative Climate Action
Sustains a full season of Community Hub programming, from Earth Talks to repair workshops to Indigenous-led teachings—building long-term resilience, leadership, and community capacity.
Your support this holiday season helps us continue building a connected, resilient, and hopeful Bow Valley.
Biosphere on the Trail: A Glimpse Into Our Work
See what your support makes possible. This short video highlights our team on the ground and shows how we are bringing community, nature, and climate action together throughout the Bow Valley.
Upcoming Events
Earth Talks – Co-Creating the Future of Winter: Adaptation & Advocacy
📍 Canmore Public Library, Friends Program Room
🗓️ Monday, December 8 | 7:00 p.m.
Join Marc Pons and Stephanie Korolyk from Protect Our Winters for a conversation about the future of winter sports in a changing climate. This session will explore adaptation opportunities, the realities of unpredictable winters, and the importance of speaking up even when advocacy feels imperfect.
Free to register, but registration required. Click here to register.
Volunteer Call Out: Join the Green Team
📍 Canmore Nordic Centre
🗓️ December 2-8
Join the Green Team at the FIS Para Cross-Country World Cup 2025!
We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help educate attendees and athletes about proper waste sorting as we work toward a goal of diverting 85% of event waste. No prior experience is needed, just a positive attitude and a love for keeping the Bow Valley beautiful!
Why volunteer?
• Short, fun shifts
• Meet incredible people from around the world
• Be part of an international event at the Canmore Nordic Centre
• Support your community and make a real environmental impact
If you’re interested, please sign up here and indicate that you’d like to volunteer with the Green Team.
