EcoCitizen Video Aims To Help Keep Whistler Special!
The Video & Social Soundbites
We all love Whistler’s natural beauty and with population growth and pressures from tourism and recreation, we need to empower every person to be good stewards of our resources, the land and wildlife.
The AWARE team has taken on this challenge. Working with other environmental groups in the community, we created a short film highlighting the most pressing enviro-messages to share with seasonal employees, front-line staff and guests. In each video soundbite, local celebs share top tips on bear safety, waste reduction, stopping the spread of invasive species, climate change, backcountry etiquette and more!
The Whistler Chamber, Whistler Blackcomb and Tourism Whistler have all committed to sharing these EcoCitizen messages broadly. These tips are designed to be spread far and wide – with colleagues, customers, guests and friends who also love Whistler!
Watch & Share – Full Length Video:
Will You Be An EcoCitizen And Help Spread These Tips?
Share with customers or guests through business social channels or website.
Share with a team as part of training. Share with friends through your own channels.
Want to share ecocitizen messaging on your social media channels? We’ve broken the video into short topic specific soundbites to make them easy to share. For each video we have written some key messages you can easily cut and paste. We will update these messages periodically to help you share messages current and up to date – so keep checking back.
All videos are also available on AWARE Whistler’s Facebook if you would prefer to share that way.
Please tag @AWAREWhistler and use the hashtag #ecocitizenwhistler when sharing content.
How To Be An EcoCitizen – Tips For Green House Gas Reduction In Whistler
Did you know Whistler has a great bus service? Some village core areas are serviced by free buses and there are buses that connect neighbourhoods throughout the valley. With apps to help you plan your trips, taking the bus is a great way to feel connected to the community, save $$ and save the planet! Head to www.whistler.ca/services/transportation/transit for more information on Whistler’s bus service.
Hashtags and Handles: @awarewhistler #ecocitizenwhistler
Did you know Whistler has over 40 kilometres of Valley Trail? The Valley Trail will take you past lakes, through forests, into parks and connects neighbourhoods so it is easy to get around on foot, by bike and in winter you can even ski some sections! Head out and enjoy the Valley Trail – it’s a great alternative to jumping in a car and a chance to enjoy and protect Whistler’s natural setting.
Hashtags and Handles: @awarewhistler #ecocitizenwhistler #climateaction
Did you know adopting a more plant-based diet is one of the top ways we can each reduce our carbon footprint? Whistler is a great place to try out going plant-based with many local restaurants offering delicious plant-based, vegan and vegetarian options. Ask what the options are when you make a restaurant reservation and get ready to enjoy a low impact dining experience!
Hashtags and Handles: @awarewhistler #ecocitizenwhistler
We all know the stuff we buy has an impact on the environmental. Luckily when you are in Whistler there are lots of ways you can buy locally made and grown things – head to summer and winter markets, local artisan stores and galleries to find unique offerings. Also consider giving the gift of experiences – with so many great activities here in Whistler the options are endless!
Hashtags and Handles: @awarewhistler #ecocitizenwhistler
How To Be An EcoCitizen – Tips On Backcountry Etiquette
Featuring: Olympic Athlete Kelsey Serwa and Pro Skier Stan Rey
We all want to forge our own path in life. When it comes to trails though – whether you love hiking, biking or running – it is important we all stick to the trails, not litter and give wildlife a wide berth. We may not know why a trail goes one way and not another, but it is often to do with the slope, the earth, the rain, the snow and the way the water drains. Help protect natural areas by sticking to the official trails and avoid “rogue” trails, which can be destructive to the plants beneath our feet and the soil in which they grow. Check out local trail routes, closures and notices at https://www.trailforks.com.
Hashtags and Handles: @awarewhistler #ecocitizenwhistler
Whistler is famous for it’s beautiful natural areas. We all have a part to play in looking after these areas by always leaving the land the way we find it—avoiding dropping litter, picking wildflowers, moving or stacking rocks, wandering off designated trails and packing out what you pack in,. Sure it’s not much if just one person does it, but if everyone who passed through an area did these things, the cumulative impact could soon ruin an area. Will you be an #ecocitizen when you are in Whistler?
Hashtags and Handles: @awarewhistler #ecocitizenwhistler
We all love to get out and explore nature. So to protect that nature it’s important carry out all trash that we generate on trails and in parks and backcountry areas. This applies to everything from toilet paper and sanitary items, to food scraps which often don’t decompose before the next trail user comes along and will likely attract wildlife to trails and campsites. Think about ways you can compact or reduce waste before you head out on your next adventure.
Hashtags and Handles: @awarewhistler #ecocitizenwhistler
Heading into the alpine can make us feel like we are on top of the world! Yet alpine environments need respect from a safety perspective but also to protect these incredibly sensitive areas, where growing seasons are short and the time needed to recover from damage is incredibly long. If we stay on the trails, camp only in designated areas and leave no trace we can all help protect these areas for future generations and the creatures that call them home.
Hashtags and Handles: @awarewhistler #ecocitizenwhistler
How To Be An EcoCitizen – Tips For A Reduced Waste Footprint
Did you know one of the best ways to reduce waste is to avoid creating it in the first place! We can all choose to carry reusable water bottles, mugs, cutlery and straws; shop with reusable bags; buy products with the least amount of packaging and say no to single-use plastics.
Hashtags and Handles: @awarewhistler #ecocitizenwhistler #zerowasteheroes #lovethisplacereduceyourwaste #whistlerclimateaction
Did you know one thing we can do to help the environment is to watch our waste footprint. That means not littering and making sure to put waste in the right bins – in Whistler we separate the different types of recycling, separate food waste and organics for composting and try to reduce the amount of garbage destined for landfill. Remember though the best thing to do is try avoid creating waste in the first place!
Hashtags and Handles: @awarewhistler #ecocitizenwhistler #zerowasteheroes #lovethisplacereduceyourwaste #whistlerclimateaction
In Whistler we can all make sure food scraps are kept out of the landfill! By collecting food scraps and organics separately we reduce garbage sent to landfill, lessen the creation of harmful greenhouse gases like methane; and turn food waste into nutrient rich soil which we can use to grow food in the future! Look out for organics bins around Whistler, in businesses and accommodations.
Hashtags and Handles: @awarewhistler #ecocitizenwhistler #zerowasteheroes #lovethisplacereduceyourwaste #whistlerclimateaction
How To Be An EcoCitizen – Tips for Keeping Bears Wild & People Safe
Did you know a bears sense of smell is much greater then ours. This means we have to be careful not to attract bears with delicious smells and that includes BBQ’s. In 2019, Whistler saw a huge number of reports of bears getting into BBQ’s, even ones that were clean. That’s because if a bear finds food scraps on one BBQ it will look for food left on other BBQ’s. This can end up in lots of busted BBQ’s but more importantly the bear becoming too used to being in neighbourhoods. It’s important we keep BBQ’s clean and remembers bears can climb onto decks! Always clean and burn off grills after use and wherever possible store BBQ’s inside.
Headed out hiking around Whistler? Did you know we share this area with Black and Grizzly Bears? Both species behave differently but the basic premise is the same – keep your distance from bears and know how to read bear behaviours. Be ready for anything by carrying bear spray and be sure to know how to use it before you go.
Did you know that in the Fall, bears go into hyperphagia where they attempt to pack on as much fat as possible to see them through their long winter sleep. This is why it is especially important not to disturb bears as they feed in Fall but also be extra cautious about leaving things outside or in vehicles that might attract bears like food, garbage and recyclables. Together we can all help keep bears wild!
Are you headed out on the trails with your canine friend? Is someone in your group bringing their dog on your hike? Remember to keep dogs on leash in bear country as over half of bear attacks on people in BC are caused by off leash dogs. Help keep bears, yourself and our K9 friends safe by using a leash and checking for areas where dogs are not permitted such as the Sproatt Alpine Trails.
Did you know a permit is required for campfires within the Resort Municipality of Whistler? And at times when the Fire Danger Rating is High or Extreme, no campfires are permitted and only propane barbecues are allowed in Whistler parks. Signs that show the fire danger rating are on the highway or you can check online at whistler.ca/services/emergency/fire/fire-danger-rating
Hashtags and Handles: @awarewhistler #ecocitizenwhistler
Did you know there are lots of things we can do to help prevent forest fires? We can all: “Use established fire rings or no-trace fire aids. Never leave campfires unattended and always extinguish them with water and by stirring the ashes. Never drop matches or smoking materials on the ground or out vehicle windows. Know the fire risk and respect fire bans. Respect no-smoking on trails, parks and other areas.”
Hashtags and Handles: @awarewhistler #ecocitizenwhistler
Around Whistler we can still find trees up to 1,200 years old! But most of the forest here is young and at high risk for wildfire. With climate change bringing longer, hotter, drier summers to British Columbia, we’re not only seeing more forest fires, but bigger fires that burn hotter and longer. Natural causes like lightning can start fires, but about half of all destructive wildfires are human-caused. Check out this #EcoCitizenWhistler video for tips on how to prevent forest fires.
Hashtags and Handles: @awarewhistler #ecocitizenwhistler
How To Be An EcoCitizen – Tips For Stopping The Spread Of Invasive Species!
Did you know one of the greatest threats to biodiversity is invasive species — plants and animals that outcompete native species and often get out of control. Unfortunately, we humans are often responsible for spreading them around. We can help stop the spread of invasive specifies by making sure we aren’t moving plants or animals around in mud or seeds that stick to footwear, outdoor gear, and bike tires. Brush or wash these off as you move into new areas and even as you move from the valley into the alpine.
Hashtags and Handles: @awarewhistler @ssinvasives #ecocitizenwhistler
Do you love Whistler’s beautiful lakes and rivers? We all have a part to play in protecting the plants and aquatic species that live here. Help stop the spread of invasive aquatic species by cleaning, draining and drying paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, and paddles before moving from one waterway to another – both within and outside Whistler!
Hashtags and Handles: @awarewhistler @ssinvasives #ecocitizenwhistler
You can help stop the spread of invasive species by learning about invasive plants. Identifying common invasives helps you know when to clean off boots, equipment, bike tires, etc. This can help slow the spread of invasives along trails, in parks and between communities. Want to report an invasive sighting? Head to www.ssisc.ca/report
Hashtags and Handles: @awarewhistler @ssinvasives #ecocitizenwhistler
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