Biosphere Newsletter | 2022-04

Updates from the Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Commitment Program and sustainability news from the region and the world.

View in News Centre → Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Monthly Newsletter - April 2022 Hi there, April is a month that brings many changes, with the beginning of spring, longer days of sunshine, and blooming flowers. As well, many tourism companies are remerging, as they prepare to launch new experiences, hire new staff, and welcome back customers. All these changes make spring an excellent time to plan to incorporate sustainability initiatives and every day practices into your business.  In this month's newsletter, you'll find: Tips to gather evidence of SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities And Communities Information about Codfather's, the Thompson Okanagan's new Biosphere Committed Company A chance to vote for TOTA nominated in the North America's Responsible Tourism Award Opportunities to promote your business at the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Inspiration Centre Sustainable Energy Tips for Tourism Businesses Tips to Make Your Next Easter More Sustainable Sustainability news from the region and the world TOTA Biosphere News Sustainable Development Goal Action Highlight SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities And Communities  Action 11.5 - Support programmes for sustainable mobility and universal accessibility.  Activity 260 - Facilities comply with the accessibility and mobility requirements and protocols for people with limited mobility. Examples of evidence to upload: Record of consultation with specialist Pictures of accessible washrooms and other features Request an Access & Inclusion Consultation You can receive a free consultation with our Access and Inclusion Liaison Sonja Gaudet to review your facility and work towards this SDG! To request a consultation, email [email protected]. Submit Your SDG Highlight New Biosphere Committed Company, Codfather’s Seafood Market We are pleased to welcome Codfather’s Seafood Market as the newest Biosphere Committed Company. Located in Kelowna, Codfather's is a family run business that prides themselves on marking a big impact out of a small space. Sustainability for Codfather's as a seafood business has always been tied closely to the ethics of seafood harvesting and growing, and the way that fisheries are organized and monitored. Codfather’s owners Jon and Anne-Marie Crofts have been involved in other sustainable movements such as Slow Fish and the Fisheries for Communities campaign. Read More → Vote for TOTA nominated in the North America's Responsible Tourism Award 2022 | Deadline: May 3 The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) has been nominated for North America's Responsible Tourism Award 2022 in the 29th annual World Travel Awards. The award serves to acknowledge, reward, and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry. TOTA has received this award in 2018, 2019, and 2020 and is honoured to be nominated once again in this category. Achieving this recognition for a fourth time would help TOTA spread the word on how the Thompson Okanagan tourism industry and our organization are working together to offer tourism services in a responsible and sustainable manner. Travel industry professionals and consumers worldwide are invited to cast their votes for travel brands that they consider to be the very best in the world. The nominee gaining the most votes for an award named as the winner. Voting is open until May 3, 2022. We would greatly appreciate it if you could take a few moments to register with World Travel Awards and vote for TOTA in category 52. North America's Responsible Tourism Award. Vote for TOTA → Sustainability Resources Promote Your Business at the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Inspiration Centre Thompson Okanagan tourism companies are invited to share adventures and experiences at the Tourism Inspiration Centre on Highway 97C above Peachland, which receives 45,000+ visitors per season. Promotion Opportunities for the 2022 season (May-October) Outdoor Billboard Space: $500+GST / year Brochure Racking Space & QR Code Link to Website: $125+GST / year On-Site Exhibit Space: $150+GST / weekend Availability is limited and offered first come, first serve. To secure your promotion space, contact [email protected]. Read More → Sustainable Energy Tips for Tourism Businesses Energy is used every day to modulate temperature, light indoor and outdoor environments, heat water, and run appliances. According to Natural Resource Canada more than 60% of the total energy consumption in a building is utilized for space heating. The following energy efficiency tips can help in reducing your business’ energy consumption and will bring added benefits of cost saving and reducing your carbon footprint: Regularly maintain and replace worn caulking and weather stripping around windows and doors to seal gaps and cracks. Install programmable thermostat to turn down the heat to about 17 degree Celsius after business hours and in unoccupied or less frequently used areas. Upgrade to LED lighting to enhance your indoor atmosphere and save energy costs. Replace standard incandescent bulbs with Energy Star rated LED bulbs and T12 fluorescent lamps and high performance T8 or LED lighting. Have appliances serviced regularly to keep them operating safely and efficiently. Biosphere Committed Companies can receive a complimentary Eco Efficiency Assessment to understand their onsite energy, water, and waste management and receive an eco-efficiency toolkit and a one-year subscription to carbon software at no extra cost. Schedule an Eco Efficiency Assessment → Tips to Make Your Next Easter More Sustainable We hope that you had a great Easter. We encourage and challenge tourism professionals to hop on the sustainability path for your Easter Holidays for a more eco-friendly holiday weekend. Many traditions, such as Easter Egg Hunts, produce unnecessary waste which can easily be reduced by switching to more sustainable alternatives. TOTA has compiled the following tips to make Easter celebrations more eco-friendly next year: Buy local products or experiences for Easter baskets Recycle - where ever possible, egg foil from your Easter egg chocolates is recyclable Buy organic or fair trade chocolate and look for local chocolatiers Buy local, free range, organic eggs and decorate with natural dyes Try eco-friendly alternatives to Easter basket grass and plastic eggs Compost egg shells Avoid food waste - be aware of gathering numbers and share leftovers Reduce Single Use Plastics Choose reusable decorations, baskets, and outfits Buy local produces and vegetables to balance out sweets Sustainability News Invest in our Planet - Earth Day is April 22, 2022 Earth Day was first celebrated in the United States on April 22, 1970. Over the years, Earth Day in Canada has grown beyond a major day of environmental action, celebrated in many countries around the world. It also inspired organizations, such as Earth Day Canada, a charitable organization that inspires and supports citizens and organizations across the country to reduce their impact on the environment. As a Biosphere Certified Destination, TOTA encourages and challenges residents and professionals in the region to participate on April 22 each year and improve sustainability throughout the year. Read More → Cariboo Chilcotin Coast and Kootenay Rockies Tourism Regions earn Biosphere Certified Destination Designation Congratulations to the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast and Kootenay Rockies tourism regions on earning the internationally recognized Biosphere Certified Destination Designation from the Responsible Tourism Institute. Biosphere Destinations are committed to continuous improvement guided by the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, which include combating climate change, protecting the environment, supporting decent work and economic growth, and respecting cultural and social values. View CCCTA Announcement → View KRT Announcement → HeliCat Canada Unveils Unique Carbon Offset Strategy A Wildlife & Environment Research Fund Project HeliCat Canada and its member organizations have taken proactive steps towards sustainability, continually pushing innovation in efficient and renewable energy use wherever possible. Understanding the realities of Heli and Cat-ski operations, carbon offsets are an essential tool for HeliCat members and guests to compensate for emissions that currently cannot be eliminate through other means. The purpose of the HeliCat Canada carbon offset strategy is to provide a simple, industry-specific manual that guides the Canadian HeliCat industry, member operations and guests to effectively navigate the carbon offset world, use carbon offsets to achieve net zero GHG emissions, and achieve other sustainable targets. Read the Full Strategy → Connect with TOTA Biosphere: Thank you so much for your continued support of the Biosphere Commitment Program. Please don't hesitate to reach out to our team at [email protected] if you have any questions or comments. View All Biosphere Updates Join Facebook Group Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), 2280-D Leckie Road, Kelowna, British Columbia V1X 6G6, Canada Unsubscribe Manage preferences

Biosphere Newsletter | March 2022

Updates from TOTA's Biosphere Commitment Program and sustainability news

View in News Centre → Biosphere Commitment Program Monthly Newsletter Hi there, Spring has arrived and the landscape in the Thompson Okanagan is getting more green by the day. Now is an excellent time to review the sustainable tips below and think about what you can do to make your spring more eco-friendly.  This March we are pleased to welcome two new Biosphere Committed Companies: Neuron Mobility and Olive Us Oils & Vinegar Tasting Room. In addition, TOTA launched a new partnership with bookeco to promote sustainable products and experiences in the Thompson Okanagan; and welcomed a new Energy Analyst, Harshit Srivastava, to oversee the Biosphere Eco-Efficiency Program. Read on to learn more. TOTA Biosphere News Sustainable Development Goal Action Highlight “Low hanging fruit” - we use this phrase when looking for the easiest way to start a project. This new section identifies examples of easy actions you may already be doing that can be uploaded onto your account on the Biosphere Sustainable Lifestyle (BSL) platform.  This month's sustainable action highlight is: Action #266: Have signage next to all recycling stations to ensure their correct use. The objective of this action: Signs are designed with indications at the recycling stations to ensure their correct use, with the objective of increasing the amount of waste to be recycled, making it clear where to dispose of and what materials should be disposed of. This Action ties directly to SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption And Production. Target 12.2: Prioritize recycling as well as its proper disposal. Examples of evidence to upload: a photograph of your labelled recycling bins a copy of your recycling sign If you have an action that you would like to highlight in this section, please let us know by selecting the button below. Submit Your SDG Action Highlight Myra Canyon Bicycle Rentals & Tours Welcomes Bamboo Bicycles Biosphere Committed Company, Myra Canyon Bicycle Rentals and Tours, is taking action towards SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production with the introduction of bamboo bicycles. The addition of bamboo bicycles produced in a small village in Ghana provides a more sustainable option and education tool for their business. Read More New Biosphere Committed Company: Neuron Mobility Neuron Mobility has joined the Biosphere Commitment Program and hopes to inspire communities they operate in to choose sustainable transportation options when possible. They are a certified carbon neutral business located in Vernon, with sustainability a core value of their company. They are also prepared to be held accountable and, alongside the Biosphere Commitment Program, they have also committed globally to The Climate Pledge, joining the world’s most progressive companies to meet net-zero by 2040. Read More New Biosphere Committed Company: Olive Us Oils & Vinegar Tasting Room Olive Us Oils & Vinegar Tasting Room has joined the Biosphere Committed Program. Olive Us is a family run and operated sustainable business with three locations in the Okanagan (Salmon Arm, Lake Country, & Vernon). Sustainability is at the forefront of every decision, from compostable tasting cups, tasting rooms made of repurposed materials, and a bottle washing system to rescue their used bottles from recycling. Read More Webinar: Connecting to Eco-Conscious Customers with the Sustainable Life App™ Apr 12, 2022 | 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM TOTA and Sustainable Life App™ are co-hosting a webinar on how Thompson Okanagan tourism companies can connect with eco-conscious customers online. Sustainable Life App™ is a downloadable mobile map-based app that connects eco-conscious consumers with sustainable businesses and brands from where they are. The app is free to download on Android and Apple. With 4,000+ listings, 10,000+ downloads, and 6,000+ users, the app is growing in popularity across Canada and internationally. Register → Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association Collaborates with Green Wine Future 2022 The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) has joined with Green Wine Future (GWF) as one of its corporate sponsors and strategic partners. The event is the most ambitious environmental conference ever organized for the wine community and will launch as a fully online gathering May 23-26, 2022. Learn More Register TOTA Partners with bookeco | Claim Your Listing The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) and bookeco have formed a strategic alliance and partnership to promote sustainable tourism products and services in the Thompson Okanagan. As part of the partnership, bookeco will feature the Thompson Okanagan as a sustainable destination. Thompson Okanagan tourism businesses who demonstrate sustainable practices will have the opportunity to be featured on the bookeco website. TOTA Biosphere Committed Companies will receive up to 4 months free when they sign up for the bookeco Advantage Plan. With the Advantage Plan, companies will: Stop paying high booking partner fees. Drive bookings directly to your website. Gain access to a sustainability focused customer base. Showcase your sustainability initiatives to the world. Add video content to your profile to increase booking conversion rates. Receive priority email support. The partnership agreement will also include a series of projects to promote sustainable tourism and responsible tourism providers through email and social media initiatives. Read More TOTA's New Energy Analyst TOTA is proud to introduce our newly appointed Energy Analyst, Harshit Srivastava. Harshit holds a masters in Clean Energy Engineering from The University of British Columbia and brings with him relevant industry experience. TOTA is pleased to continue offering complimentary virtual energy assessments to tourism businesses in the Thompson Okanagan region and Eco Efficiency Assessments to Biosphere Committed Companies. From the beginning of this program, TOTA has helped participating businesses identify annual cost saving opportunities ranging from $100 to $2,500 with additional cost savings available through rebates. Harshit is excited for his new role, proclaiming, “I am pleased to be serving the Thompson Okanagan Region as the new Energy Analyst. My goal is to work with regional tourism stakeholders to help reduce energy costs through energy efficiency and conservation initiatives.” Register for Free Energy Assessment → Register for Free Eco Efficiency Assessment (for Biosphere Committed Companies) → Schedule an intro Call with Harshit → Sustainability Resources How to Make St. Patrick's Day Eco-Friendly St. Patrick’s Day is annual celebration of Irish culture on March 17, featuring green outfits, decorations, beer, and food. Like other holidays, celebrations may result in consumerism and unnecessary waste. As a Biosphere Destination, we encourage and challenge tourism professionals to make St. Patrick’s Day more eco-friendly and greener this year, and every year. TOTA has compiled tips to make St. Patrick’s Day even greener with a few eco-friendly activities or actions. Read More → Measuring Sustainability: The State of the Canadian Tourism Industry l GreenStep Sustainable Tourism GreenStep shared a report on how the Canadian tourism industry is performing in regards to sustainability based on data from hundreds of tourism businesses across Canada who completed the Sustainability Score assessment. In 2021, GreenStep launched the Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge in partnership with the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, encouraging tourism businesses and destinations across the country to measure their sustainability performance using the free online Sustainability Score assessment based upon the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) criteria, and to make a commitment to improving this performance each year until 2030. The Sustainable Tourism Dashboard enables anonymous aggregation of the results to help tourism destinations, policy makers, and other industry stakeholders understand how the tourism industry is performing at a local, provincial, national, and eventually international level. Learn More & View Report → CleanBC Communities Fund Intake 3 Now Open l Apply by May 25, 2022 The CleanBC Communities Fund (CCF) intake 3 is now accepting applications to fund projects that support the management of renewable energy, access to clean energy transportation, improved energy efficiency of buildings, and generation of clean energy. The fund invests in public infrastructure owned by local governments, Indigenous communities, not-for-profits and projects in partnership with for-profit entities. Learn More & Apply → Connect with TOTA Feel free to reach out to our team at [email protected] if you have any questions or comments.   Join Facebook Group View Past Biosphere Updates Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), 2280-D Leckie Road, Kelowna, British Columbia V1X 6G6, Canada Unsubscribe Manage preferences