On November 14, 2026, join Wildsight Invermere at the Columbia Valley Centre for their Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour event, an inspiring evening of films from around the world and a celebration of nature, conservation, adventure and our shared responsibility for the places we call home. The festival is a venue for inspiration, conversation, and camaraderie, bringing their mountain community together for one big evening of films from around the world. In addition to sitting back and enjoying a wonderful selection of nature-based films, attendees have the chance to enjoy food & drinks, bid on enticing silent auction items donated by values-aligned local businesses, mingle with fellow community members, and learn more about climate & conservation initiatives happening in the Columbia Valley.
The Invermere branch of Wildsight has been the environmental voice of the upper Columbia Valley since 1989. They are a BC-registered, non-profit organization, governed by an engaged Board of Directors and supported by an active membership and community of volunteers. They work together with Wildsight Regional and the five other Wildsight branches, as well as local Columbia Valley groups.
Wildsight Invermere works towards the overall Wildsight organizational vision:
Wildsight’s vision is to inspire a shared community desire to protect the natural world for future generations. They envision extensive and connected wild spaces for wildlife—from grizzly bears to woodpeckers to trout. They envision clean air and clear water running from mountain watersheds to their lakes. They see thriving and sustainable communities made up of engaged and educated citizens.
Their mission is to inspire community action and lead the way in ensuring the integrity and ecological values of their surrounding wetlands, forests, grasslands, and mountains through their programs, campaigns, and grassroots initiatives.
Through their Wild Connections program, they host events and workshops that inspire, inform, and engage their membership on environmental and community issues. They started Spark, rural Canada’s first all-electric vehicle share program. Every November, they organize their annual fundraiser, the Wild & Scenic Film Festival— now in its 12th year. They also take on large initiatives, such as the Columbia Lake Bighorn Sheep project, Pesticide Free Invermere, Wilmer wetlands clean-up, and the Lake Enid Restoration Project.
Carla Bitz, Wildsight Invermere’s Programs Co-Manager, says, “Hosting a Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour Event is one of Wildsight Invermere’s more significant annual fundraising efforts, generating core unrestricted funds for our organization. It also offers a unique entry point for community members to learn about Wildsight Invermere, for those who may not be familiar with other programs but are drawn into an evening of film watching for other reasons. Funds raised from sponsorship, ticket sales, and other activities during the Wild & Scenic Film Festival make it possible for Wildsight Invermere’s to take meaningful action on our two main pillars:
Climate Action: this year we launched Columbia Valley SHIFT, empowering residents to reduce waste and emissions through events like the Earth Day Fair & Cleanup, Repair Cafes and the Pre-Loved Clothing Market; we continue to foster low-carbon transportation efforts through Spark, rural Canada’s first EV care share program, free Bike Valet at the Farmers Market, and a new Transit Pilot Program in collaboration with the DTSS Climate Club!
Conservation: we continue to lead and collaborate on programs that steward the ecological health of our valley, like the Columbia Valley Swallow Project, supporting Lake Stewardship efforts, and organizing citizen science projects like Invasive Species Weed Pulls!”
When asked what their favorite thing about putting on this event is, Carla replied, “We love seeing the way local businesses, community members, and our amazing team come together to celebrate the work we do, raise critical funds for our organization’s amazing programs, and learn more about conservation & climate initiatives happening around the globe.”
