Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley is dedicated to making the Bow Valley more welcoming and inclusive. We are also dedicated to a just transition towards a more sustainable future by centering diverse ways of knowing and centering climate justice.

Why is this work important?

Climate change is a human rights issue. Currently, the climate crisis disproportionately affects marginalized communities, who often are the ones that have contributed the least to the crisis.

The concept of climate justice is an important aspect of a just transition toward a sustainable future. The concept of climate justice has been widely used to refer to the unequal historical responsibility that countries and communities bear in relation to the climate crisis. Countries, industries, businesses, and people that have become wealthy from emitting large amounts of greenhouse gases have a responsibility to help those affected by climate change, particularly the most vulnerable countries and communities.

what does this look like in our work?

• workplace inclusion charter

The Bow Valley Workplace Inclusion Charter is a voluntary no-cost employer toolkit and recognition program to create more inclusive workplaces in the Bow Valley. In 2023, the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley was awarded Silver Status by the Bow Valley Workplace Inclusion Charter among other organizations within Alberta’s Bow Valley who are taking specific actions to create an inclusive and diverse workplace.

The 2023 Workplace Inclusion Charter included a list of 15 actions for employers to complete within a 12-month period. Thank you to the Bow Valley Immigration Partnership (BVIP) for providing the necessary resources and support for local businesses to complete those commitments.

• Bow Valley Pride Network

As part of our commitment to inclusion, equity, and diversity, the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley is proud to be a part of the Bow Valley Pride Network. The Bow Valley Pride Network is a group of businesses and organizations committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusivity in Banff, Canmore, and the Bow Valley as a whole.

The Bow Valley Pride Network aims to create and promote safe spaces and businesses who are working to make a real, active difference against rising hate. Joining the Bow Valley Pride Network shows our commitment to the creation and maintenance of safe spaces for their 2SLGBTQIA+ community – whether it be staff, visitors, customers, or guests – in both visible and actionable ways.

What does this mean?

As a member of the Bow Valley Pride Network, the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley has worked to meet the following guidelines:

• Providing inclusive facilities

• Never assuming one's sexuality

• Using gender neutral language

• Celebrating non-binary individuals

• Valuing difference + individuality

• Handling information sensitively

• Being explicitly welcoming

• Actively (+ continuously) learning

• Establishing a self-perpetuating culture

Our vision is that one day diversity, equity, and inclusion will be the status quo for all – and until then, we supporting the development of queer-friendly safe spaces, businesses, and community organizations throughout Banff, Canmore, and the Rocky Mountains.

community capacity building

The Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley partnered with multi-stakeholder consultations seeking solutions to key conservation, climate, and sustainability issues, with long-term implications for the residents and visitors to the Bow Valley. We have been supporting enhanced engagement and outreach strategies to build community capacity through novel approaches and ensure that the voices of equity-deserving communities are heard in these consultations.

• Climate Emergency Action Plan (Town of Canmore)

In the fall of 2023, we conducted eight outreach engagements for the Town of Canmore on their Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP). We conducted the outreach engagements in places and events where communities were gathering in order to inform them about the climate planning process and gather input on the process.

• Canmore Area Trails Strategy (Alberta Parks)

Alberta Parks has hired McElhanney, a consulting group, to convene a local consultation with local individuals and stakeholder groups that will create a regional trail strategy that, properly done, will help ensure that recreationalists and wildlife can coexistence in the Bow Valley.

The Biosphere Institute, in partnership with the Bow Valley Immigration partnership, developed and piloted a Newcomer Voices Panel process to meaningfully engage community perspectives and voices. The Newcomer Voices Panel engagement was hosted at the Biosphere Institute Office with 11 participants, and 3 facilitators (Biosphere, BVIP, and Alberta Parks’ consultants). This work was made possible by the Calgary Foundation Strategic Opportunities Grant.

we want to hear from you

We are on an ongoing journey to foster a more accepting, diverse, and inclusive environment in Banff, Canmore, and the Bow Valley. If you would like to collaborate, support or learn more about our approach to supporting equity, diversity and inclusion, please reach out to Tanya.