TOTA Biosphere Updates
TOTA Biosphere News
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association is thrilled to have once again completed its annual Biosphere Certification Audit.
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) is launching the revamped Biosphere Commitment Program. The updated program has a new focus on the online Biosphere Sustainable Lifestyle (BSL) Platform, which allows organizations to measure, manage, and report on their sustainability efforts that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The BiosphereSustainable.com website is now available, which allows people to learn about the good practices and sustainable efforts of companies and destinations around the world, showing how they contribute to the fulfilment of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.
Biosphere Member Highlights
Sovereign Lake is inspired by the desire for future generations to experience the wonder and beauty of Vernon's natural landscapes which has led them to a continued lead on environmental sustainability to ensure that the landscape is preserved.
Lakeside Eco-Sports is Kelowna’s local gateway to nature. They are partnered with the Prestige Beach House in Downtown Kelowna and provide eco-friendly outdoor experiences through Kelowna’s picturesque landscapes.
Despite what the name suggests, Caravan Farm Theatre is not a farm, but, instead, a rural space that is designed for the production of professional theatre, especially large-scale, outdoor productions. They are inspired by the fields, forests, and land that create the stage they perform on to make sustainable choices whenever and wherever they can.
Sustainability News
Residents of British Columbia are invited to comment on how the government can best address barriers that restrict people with disabilities from participating in the workforce and accessing community services. The public engagement on the draft accessibility standards is open from May 31 to July 31.
The TRU Faculty Adventure Culinary Arts and Tourism team invites hotel owners, general managers, and supervisory staff in BC to a symposium on April 15. It is free to attend online and $40 with lunch to attend in person. Sessions include a panel with members representing members Thompson Okanagan businesses: Delta Hotel Kamloops, Sandman, Doubletree, Quality Inn Vernon; and a session by FortisBC's Vladimir Kostka, Major Commercial Key Account Manager for Education and Hospitality.
The B.C. Employer Training Grant is a cost-sharing grant program that provides employers throughout B.C. with skills training funding for their workforces, including prospective new hires. Employers can receive 80% of the cost of training up to $10,000 per employee, with a maximum annual amount per employer of $300,000.