Harbour Air is hitting the funding runway in hopes of helping the region’s first-ever biosphere centre take flight.
The airline recently announced a partnership with the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust to raise money for the CBT’s proposed biosphere centre facility through its Share the Fare program. Through the program, each Friday is designated as “Share the Fare Friday” and Harbour Air donates $1 on behalf of every passenger to selected organizations and initiatives.
“This collaboration underscores Harbour Air’s commitment to supporting coastal communities in British Columbia and advancing sustainable initiatives,” the announcement reads. “The addition of Clayoquot Biosphere Trust to this program aims to bolster sustainable development, conservation, reconciliation, and youth empowerment efforts within the region.”
Harbour Air claims credit as the world’s first fully carbon-neutral airline and the company’s head of marketing Jessica Dunn said backing the biosphere project reflects its passion for the healthy sustainability of the communities surrounding the waters its planes take off and land in.
“Our commitment to coastal BC communities through Share the Fare extends far beyond mere sharing,” Dun said through the announcement. “With the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust now part of the program, we’re actively bolstering crucial community initiatives. We’re honoured to support their vital work within the Biosphere region.”
Harbour Air currently offers flights in and out of Tofino and is working on a new flightpath that would serve Ucluelet.
The Westerly News reached out to Dunn for clarification around the number of Fridays and flights that will raise money specifically for the biosphere centre, but had not heard back by presstime.
CBT executive director Rebecca Hurwitz was thrilled to see the project selected as a Share the Fare recipient.
“We are deeply grateful to Harbour Air for their generous support of the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre! Harbour Air’s commitment to sustainability and collaboration mirrors our mandate as a UNESCO Biosphere,” Hurwitz said through the announcement. “Their partnership underscores our shared vision for thriving people and places, and by giving back now they will create a legacy for the future.”
The CBT’s proposed centre carries an estimated price-tag of $15 million and was recently infused with a $400,000 commitment from Tofino’s Wickaninnish Inn.
The CBT believes the project will become a beacon for sustainable development, conservation and reconciliation through education, research, and programming.
“The Biosphere Centre will be a space to deliver sustainable initiatives, advance climate action and conservation through research, and implement educational programs tied to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,” the announcement reads. “Additionally, it will function as a Living Building, embodying principles of regenerative, self-sufficient, inclusive, and sustainable design.”
The CBT’s Michelle Hall told the Westerly News fundraising initiatives from businesses like Harbour Air will be vital to the facility being completed.
“The Biosphere Centre project’s timeline depends on CBT securing capital funding,” Hall said. “With that in place, construction documentation will kickstart, ideally in 2024, paving the way for the much-anticipated construction phase. Our target? A fully realized Biosphere Centre by 2026.”
Anyone looking for more information about the project is encouraged to reach out to Hall at michelle@clayoquotbiosphere.org or visit www.clayoquotbiosphere.org.
More information about Harbour Air’s Share the Fare program can be found at www.harbourair.com.
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