Summer Sun and Community Action
After a lovely but rainy June, July has brought some much appreciated summer sun to the Bow Valley. With the warm weather enticing everyone to get outside, we’re focusing this newsletter on the hustle and bustle of amazing community events and volunteer-led action that has been going down across the Valley, as well as some upcoming opportunities to get involved while catching some rays!
FireSmart in Action
What is the NRP?
“FireSmart Canada's Neighbourhood Recognition Program (NRP) is a national program developed to officially recognize neighbourhoods that have taken critical steps to reduce their vulnerability to wildland fire. The program focuses on bringing neighbours together to address threats on their respective properties, and those in common areas within the community.” -FireSmart Canada
Learn more about how the Biosphere Institute is supporting FireSmart action here!
Learn more about the NRP here!
See some awesome communities in action:
Interested in organizing a cleanup ASAP?
The town of Canmore is piloting a FireSmart Bin Program that provides neighbourhood groups with free disposal bins for FireSmart clean-up events.
There are 5 remaining bins available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and neighbourhoods who are not already participating in the Neighbourhood Recognition Program (NRP) are given priority.
Find out more here.
Read: Canmore Residents Call for Stronger Protections of Parks and Trails.
This article highlights an important message coming from the residents of Canmore; we want our parks and trails to stay wild, especially as the town is projected to grow massively in coming years.
Fund your Wildlife Friendly Landscaping Project this Summer through the
Fruit Tree Removal and Replacement Incentives!
Fruit trees may seem harmless, but they are a leading cause of human-wildlife conflict. In fact, accessing fruit trees is the number one reason why bears in the Bow Valley are relocated or killed.
To help reduce these risks, the Town of Canmore offers a Fruit Tree Removal Incentive to reduce the financial barrier that often prevents residents from removing fruit-bearing trees.
Thanks to generous funding from the G7 summit in 2025, the Biosphere Institute is able to continue to support the replacement of fruit trees through the Fruit Tree Replacement Incentive.
Click here to learn more and apply!
Canmore Folk Fest Environmental (Green) Team
2026 marks the fifth year that the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley will be coordinating the Canmore Folk Music Festival’s Environment (Green) Team.
Thanks to their efforts, the Green Team has achieved an average 90% landfill diversion rate since 2022! Not only that, but since 2022 the Green Team has helped to secure a 50% or greater reduction in greenhouse gas emissions through landfill diversion.
If you’re looking for an opportunity to soak up some sun, listen to some great music, and lend a hand towards making Folk Fest more sustainable, sign up to volunteer with us!
Click here for more information about waste reduction and the Green Team.
Click here to sign up (filling up fast)!
Join the Summit Club!
Support the places that set the stage for amazing summer adventures by joining the Biosphere Institute’s Summit Club.
The Summit Club is our community of monthly donors helping protect the Bow Valley year-round.
For about the price of a cup of coffee each month, members provide steady support for climate action, environmental education, and programs that help people and wildlife coexist.
