Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Commitment Newsletter
Biosphere 2020 Annual Report
2020 has been a year of great uncertainty, but also a year of opportunities. Sustainability has become top of mind when talking about recovery and resilience and will continue to be part of our way forward as an industry.
This newsletter showcases our progress over the past 12 months to develop value-added programs and engage with Biosphere Commitment Program members. We would like to reflect and celebrate our collective achievements in sustainability in 2020 and look ahead to new initiatives for 2021.Did you know? TOTA is offering complimentary Energy Assessments to help improve your organization's operational efficiency and reduce costs. This assessment opportunity is open to all tourism businesses in the Thompson Okanagan Region.
A Year of Challenges and Opportunities
2020 has been a year of great uncertainty, but also a year of opportunities. Sustainability has become top of mind when talking about recovery and resilience and will continue to be part of our way forward as an industry.
This newsletter showcases our progress over the past 12 months to develop value-added programs and engage with Biosphere Commitment Program members. We would like to reflect and celebrate our collective achievements in sustainability in 2020 and look ahead to new initiatives for 2021.
Did you know? TOTA is offering complimentary Energy Assessments to help improve your organization's operational efficiency and reduce costs. This assessment opportunity is open to all tourism businesses in the Thompson Okanagan Region.
Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Tourism
featured in The Globe and Mail
"This idea of investing in meaningful travel experiences that not only enrich a visitor’s time in a place but also leave the destination better off is gaining traction under the label “regenerative travel.” More than a buzzword, it’s a paradigm shift in the way we look at sustainable travel."
Learn more about regenerative tourism in this article published by The Globe and Mail, with shoutouts to Biosphere Committed Companies Summerhill Pyramid Winery, Covert Farms Family Estate, Okanagan Lavender & Herb Farm, Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort, Myra Canyon Ranch, and Kelowna Museums.
Growing Engagement | Biosphere & Value-added Programs
Biosphere Commitment Program
104
Biosphere Committed Companies In Process
67
companies participating in Safe Travels in the Thompson Okanagan
35
companies participating in the Occupational Health & Safety Program
48
companies engaged in Eco Efficiency Program
$7,300
worth of cost-saving opportunities identified to date from the free Virtual Energy Assessment Program
Did you know?
You can significantly reduce your utility costs by simply reviewing your bills every month and becoming aware of your daily energy use patterns.
TOTA's Energy Analyst has helped participating businesses identify annual cost-saving opportunities ranging from $100 to $2500 with the relevant rebates available.
Learn more about our complimentary Energy Assessments
Good Health And Well-Being
In recent years, health tourism has been attracting more customers. With the increasing awareness in improving health and well-being, more and more people seek a relaxing and appealing destination that has benefits for their body, mind and spirit.
This month we will highlight businesses' featuring work relative to SDG Three: Wellbeing, safety, and health. We will take a look at how they develop, promote and prioritize healthy tourism activities.
Good Health and Well-Being
In recent years, health tourism has been attracting more customers. With the increasing awareness in improving health and well-being, more and more people seek a relaxing and appealing destination that has benefits for their body, mind and spirit.
This month we will highlight businesses' featuring work relative to SDG Three:Wellbeing, safety, and health. We will take a look at how they develop, promote and prioritize healthy tourism activities.
Leaders in Biosphere
Highlights of businesses committed to the Biosphere Commitment Program
Covert Farm, Oliver
Covert Farm believes in healthy and experiential tourism practices and focuses on improving their ability to identify, prevent and plan for potential emergencies that threaten the farm and surrounding ecosystem. Their operation has adopted regenerative farming practices on 240 acres that will result in sequestering soil carbon which acts as storage for rain and irrigation water. It is estimated that their 30 acres of vineyards may be dry-farmed in 5 years’ time using these farming practices (no-till, growing plants at all times, mixed cover crops, soil cover, and livestock integration). They are also dedicated to “Farm to Table”. With the experience and passion of many hardworking hands, they are able to farm an abundant array of certified organic crops to nourish those who visit.
A View to Remember B&B, West Kelowna
A View To Remember B&B has a strong passion for the chemical-free, toxin-free cleaning system (ENJO) that does not require the purchase of any plastic bottles or cleaners. And with it being chemical-free, there is no chemical residue left on surfaces and no chemicals are being put into the water system. They are also dedicated to educating and selling this product to help people learn about the options for a sustainable cleaning environment for their home and family. In their suites, there are no single-use plastic utensils or dishes. They are also using the Smartklean laundry ball that eliminates the need to buy plastic bottles of laundry soap.
50th Parallel Estate Winery, Lake Country
50th Parallel Estate regularly review international best practices relating to winery and vineyard operations with their staff, to decrease their footprint on the environment. They annually focus more on sustainability in how they manage the vineyard, both through amendment programs, cover crop choices, bio-dynamic integration of beneficial organisms into the vineyard, and an overall commitment to being completely natural in wine making practice and organic vineyard practice in the next 5 years.
Global Biosphere Example
Aparthotel Miami Park, located in the heart of the coastal town of Calella, Spain committed to a more sustainable future by obtaining their Biosphere Commitment in 2017. They are proud to be part of this community and dedicated to their commitment in various ways.
They use special containers on each floor which allows each customer to separate plastics, glass, cardboard, and organic waste
They do not use chlorine in their swimming pool. It is cleaned through electrolysis.
Their outdoor lighting are LED, and they use drip irrigation for their garden which largely reduces the waste.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being
There are many things we could do to protect our health and develop a healthy living environment.
1. For travelers - Travel with a basic health kit
A basic travel health kit is important no matter where you travel, as some medications may not always be readily available in some countries. Click here to review a list of medications to be included in your travel health kit.
2. For employers -- Keep your staff healthy
Health and safety are critical to all business practices. By implementing a framework to manage health and safety organizations can effectively prevent injuries and save time and money. Start the go2HR safety basics assessment today.
3. For businesses -- Promote and adopt sustainable practices
Reduce the use of chemicals (i.e cleaning products). Reduce the impact on air, water and soil. The Biosphere Eco-Efficiency program is the perfect first step.
Do you know about
Green Okanagan's Sustainability Social
Green Okanagan is getting together for green conversation this Feb 19th, 2020, at 6:30 pmatTourism Kelowna! This event is a gathering of like-minded individuals sharing a passion for sustainability and green movements in our community. Their Feb event has the theme of "Sustainable Tourism" where you will get to learn from GreenStep's Angela Nagy. Click "Register here" for more details.