“There’s no question about the role that nature plays at Banff. Because you are right up against the earth. It reminds you of what is really important.”

— Ann-Marie MacDonald, award-winning
author and actor, Banff Centre alumna

Respecting our environment
at The Banff Centre

Since its inception in 1933, The Banff Centre has placed great value in its unique and spectacular mountain environment within Banff National Park. The Centre is committed to environmental leadership and performance in all its operations and has developed and implemented a wide range of environmental initiatives. Located within a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Centre supports education and environmental awareness for all staff, program participants, and guests.

For a downloadable pdf that summarizes The Banff Centre’s environmental policies, download pdf (216 KB).

Environmental Management System

Guiding the Centre’s environmental performance, The Banff Centre’s Environmental Management System (EMS) is grounded by the policy:

"The Banff Centre shall be a leader in environmental management practices by ensuring all of our programs, activities and operations have a minimal environmental impact and by seeking continuous improvement in our environmental management efforts, all with the goal of reducing the Centre’s ecological footprint, emission of greenhouse gases and overall environmental impact."

Approved by the Board of Governors, July 20, 2007

View the full text of the Environmental Management policy.

Environmental Officer

Since 2001, the Centre has designated a vice-president as environmental officer. This function is being fulfilled by Art Nutt, vice-president and CFO. Every three months, the environmental officer provides a written update of environmental initiatives, challenges, and results to the Board of Governors..

If you have questions or suggestions regarding The Banff Centre’s Environmental Management System please contact,

Art Nutt
Environmental Officer
Telephone: 403.762.6155
Email: Art Nutt

Environmental budget

The Centre has set aside $20,000 annually for specific environmental projects. This fund is managed by the environmental officer and is generally used for training and communication. Larger-scale environmental projects are funded by the Centre’s operating and capital budgets within the departments where those projects occur.

Environment Committee

The Banff Centre has established an Environment Committee consisting of members representing all operations areas. The mandate of the Environment Committee is to assist the environmental officer by providing support and advice in the maintenance and operation of the EMS. The Committee advises on a broad range of environmental topics, including environmental performance goals, environmental management benchmarks and standards, and Banff Centre environmental policies and procedures. It acts as a coordinating body for environmental activities and initiatives and it works to raise the overall environmental awareness of all staff, program participants, and guests.

Current members of the Environment Committee are:

• Conferences — Leslie Vanderzwet, General Manager (Committee Chair)
• Development — Laurie Harvey, Manager, Strategic Partnerships
• Food & Beverage Services — Beat Hegnauer, Executive Chef
• Security, Safety & Environment — TBA
• Human Resources & Financial Services — Kelly Breithaupt, Retention and Training Manager
• IT/S — Melinda Sampson, Manager IT Infrastructure
• Leadership Development — Diana McRoberts, Sales Associate
• Marketing & Communications — Jill Sawyer, Media & Communications Officer
• Physical Facilities — Mark Fuller, Manager, Building Trades & Grounds
• Purchasing — Nadege Luquet, Purchasing Manager
• Rooms, Housekeeping & Custodial Services — Sophie Pelletier, Housekeeping Manager Staff
• Housing — Sandra Lamarche, Housing Manager
• Theatre Arts — Robert Rombough, Technical Director
• Committee Coordinator — Deborah Whittle