Voices of Canmore Project - January Newsletter
Happy New Year from Protecting our Futures!
We are starting this year off with a newsletter about public engagement. Let 2026 be the year that you raise your voice to support protection of the Rundleview greenspace, and for all greenspaces in Canmore!
Voices of Canmore Project
We are thrilled with the response to our “Canmore Voices” and invite you to lend your voice too. Be a voice of Canmore by sharing your thoughts on the proposed spa and hotel either by video (see our current videos at Canmore Voices — Protecting Our Futures), writing a letter to Rocky Mountain Outlook (check out RMO Letters to the Editor on our community drive), or sharing our Facebook and Instagram posts.
Please contact us (protectingourfutures@gmail.com) if you’d like to do a video for Voices of Canmore. The video doesn’t have to be long or detailed and can be done on a mobile phone. Just share your thoughts on the proposed development and/or address some of the common concerns we are hearing from community members. Examples of potential topics include the appropriateness of the location for a major development, the loss of wildlife connectivity and habitat, the undermining risks, the inconsistency of the proposal with Canmore’s Municipal Development Plan, what the greenspace means to you personally, or what people can do to help ensure the greenspace is preserved.
Upcoming Biosphere Event – Canmore Area Trails Master Plan
We also encourage you to get informed about the Canmore Area Trails Master Plan Draft at the upcoming event hosted by the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley. Although the planning process did not specifically address the trails in the Rundleview greenspace, we think it should. If the development goes ahead, it will result in removal of some of the trails in the greenspace and will almost certainly result in more people recreating in the adjacent wildlife corridors and habitat patch. The master plan is an important step in making Canmore area trails work better for both wildlife and people. The Alberta government is soliciting feedback on the draft plan until January 21st, (Draft Master Plan Feedback) and this event will help you inform yourself of the issues and what’s at stake.
Here are the details from the Biosphere (please pre-register at the Biosphere's link below):
Bow Valley trails – Help make them work for people AND wildlife!
A panel discussion and information session
Wednesday 14 January, 7 to 9 PM
Creekside Hall, Canmore Senior’s Centre
The Canmore Area Trails Master Plan has the potential to make this valley better for trail users – AND for wildlife! But we’re not there yet…
You’ll have a chance to review and discuss the trail maps proposed for your favorite places in the Bow Valley, hear about the Canmore Area Trails Master Plan Draft, and learn what you can do to help ensure that the Plan works for both people AND wildlife. Our panelists include…
· Peggy Holroyd, Planner, Alberta Forestry and Parks
· Bill Hunt, Senior Conservation Lead, Yellowstone to Yukon
· Dr. Tony Clevenger, Bow Valley Naturalists
· Laura Quelch, E.D., Canmore & Area Mountain Bike Association
· Gareth Thomson, E.D., Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley
Admission is free (but donations will be gratefully accepted) - and we ask that you preregister at www.biosphereinstitute.org/catmp, which also allows you to send us your questions about the plan ahead of time!
That same webpage will help you learn more about our concerns and see our suggestions on how to respond to the government’s request for input before the 21 January deadline.
Protecting our Futures Open House
Protecting our Future is planning an open house at the Bill Warren Centre later in February or early March. We are planning a formal presentation for community members as well as an opportunity to talk with Protecting our Futures volunteers about the issues associated with the development proposal. Watch our newsletter and social media accounts for details to come.
We Appreciate your Contributions!
Over the past 18 months you in the Canmore community and beyond have funded almost $25,000 which is being used for signs, the website, other communications costs, and expert advice and analysis expenses. We anticipate additional funds will be needed in the coming months for ongoing communications expenses and further expert advice as the developer posts new technical reports. We appreciate any donations that you are able to provide either by:
Interac at: protectingourfutures@gmail.com.
Credit card: Donation — Protecting Our Futures