Spring is a season of renewal and growth, making it the perfect time to consider what each of us can do to create a healthier, sustainable future for our community and get involved in sustainability initiatives in and around Kelowna.
Earth Day
Photo Credit: Nic Collar
Now is the time to plan how to celebrate Earth Day and its theme, Invest in our Planet, on April 22. The Earth Day Action Toolkit provides ideas and helpful resources, including copy for social media posts and suggested hashtags.
Ten trees will be planted for every purchase made on Earth Day at the Kelowna Visitor Centre or online through the Love for Kelowna store, thanks to Tourism Kelowna's partnership with One Tree Planted. So far this year, just over 1,700 trees have been planted (as of February 2023).
We encourage you to explore options and ideas for events and celebrations—be sure to tag us on social media when promoting your Earth Day initiatives and use #exploreKelowna, #InvestInOurplanet, and #EarthDay2023.
Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup
Photo credit: Ken Hagen
This time of year also means residents and visitors alike will be looking forward to time on Okanagan Lake. Keeping the shores of our lakes clean is one way to contribute to the sustainability of our region. The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is a national initiative delivered by Ocean Wise and WWF-Canada, with resources for solo, household, or small team clean-ups. Make a difference one piece of garbage at a time by organizing and leading a cleaning through your workplace.
Biosphere Commitment Program
Photo Credit: Shawn Talbot Photography
Tourism Kelowna continues to support and further the Biosphere Commitment Program, led by the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), which allows companies to formally commit to incorporating systemic changes in their everyday business operations in accordance with the United Nation's 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Thanks to a partnership with GreenStep Solutions and FortisBC, Biosphere program participants can also have eco-efficiency assessments conducted for their business and receive access to a carbon measurement platform, for one year, at no additional charge. Alternate offerings are available for companies not yet participating in the Biosphere program. Interested businesses can learn more through the TOTA website.
GoByBike Week
Photo Credit: Okanagan Rail Trail / Tourism Kelowna
The warmer weather means more opportunities to bike in and around Kelowna—stay tuned to the GoByBike website for more information on the spring iteration, which typically takes place at the end of May. The City of Kelowna has secure bike lockers available for riders and a bicycle rack program for businesses wishing to encourage cycling and support cyclists.
Tourism Kelowna's Stewardship Committee is always looking for other significant initiatives we can support. We are committed to making a difference in our community and have set up a new webpage to monitor our sustainability indicators.
If you have other great ideas on how our team and other tourism businesses in our region can be involved or would like information about any of the above information, don't hesitate to contact our Stewardship Committee Chair, Steve Small, at steve@tourismkelowna.com.
