Cocktail 100% Nature 2026 @ Biosphere

October 7, on a refreshingly rainy Wednesday evening, Cocktail 100% Nature 2026 brought Montreal’s philanthropic community to the Biosphere for an evening devoted to biodiversity, scientific research and environmental education. The 5th edition of the Fondation Espace pour la vie benefit welcomed more than 275 guests and raised $402,000 for a green cause.

Presented by BMO in collaboration with CAE, the gathering transformed the landmark on Saint Helen’s Island into a setting for conversation, discovery and collective generosity. Its distinctive format encouraged guests to move through the interactive museum before gathering on the open-air observation deck for the evening’s central celebration.

An Evening Beneath the Biosphere’s Dome

The Biosphere’s striking geodesic structure provided an architectural backdrop suited to the occasion.

Beginning at 6 p.m., guests followed a curated route through its exhibitions — Renversant! Un voyage au fil de l’eau, Chercher refuge, Émo Lab, Je n’ai que le ciel, Aussi forte que le vent, et Un monde en commun — encountering environmental themes that gave the fundraising appeal a tangible context.

The museum’s mediation team helped visitors rediscover the exhibitions, while informal conversations connected members of Montreal’s business, cultural and philanthropic communities. The itinerary offered a refreshing alternative to the conventional seated gala, allowing each guest to explore at an individual pace.

Artistic performances added another dimension to the experience, connecting the evening’s social energy with its creative ambitions.

Guests enjoyed inventive bites served across multiple food stations, complemented by open bars offering a selection of beverages.

Attention then shifted to the Biosphere’s famous observation terrace!

Panoramic views complemented a lively reception.

A lavish dessert table, overflowing with sweet creations, provided an indulgent finale to the culinary experience.

A Fundraising Milestone for Nature

At 7:30 p.m., formal remarks brought guests together on the belvedere for the announcement of the fundraising total. The $402,000 result gave the 5th edition a concrete measure of support for the foundation’s mission.

The proceeds will help advance Espace pour la vie initiatives involving biodiversity conservation, research, public awareness and environmental education.

These activities connect scientific knowledge with everyday choices and encourage a closer relationship between Montrealers and the natural world.

The event’s honorary committee was co-chaired by Hélène V. Gagnon and Grégoire Baillargeon. Its members included Alexandre-Stéphane Boucher, Cyril Dujardin, Gabriel Grenier, Geneviève Guertin, Véronique Talbot and Nicolas Vanasse, whose participation helped mobilize support across professional networks.

Behind the scenes, Christine Babkine, François Lefebvre, Catherine Ouellet-Dupuis and Émilie Trahan formed the organizing committee, supported by foundation team member Simon Beaumier. Isabelle St-Germain, Julie Jodoin and the Biosphere team also contributed to welcoming guests and shaping their museum experience.

Partners United Around Biodiversity

Corporate participation played a prominent role in the evening’s success. Alongside principal partners BMO and CAE, gold partners CGI, Guerlain, Hydro-Québec and Sun Life Québec supported the benefit. Additional contributors represented fields ranging from finance and engineering to law, aviation and sustainable investment.

The foundation also acknowledged SAQ and Molson Coors, event service partners Plastisapiens and Avec Plaisir, and RBC volunteers. Together, these contributions helped create an occasion where hospitality and environmental commitment shared the spotlight.

The choice of venue reinforced the message. Surrounded by the river and framed by the city skyline, the Biosphere invited guests to consider the relationship between urban life and ecological responsibility. Its exhibition spaces made the foundation’s priorities visible, while the terrace created room for the personal connections that sustain charitable partnerships.

Following the announcement, musical entertainment and networking continued across the terrace and panoramic room until the evening concluded at 9 p.m. The movement between exhibitions, reception spaces and skyline views gave the gathering a rhythm of its own.

For Montreal’s gala calendar, Cocktail 100% Nature offered a distinctive expression of contemporary philanthropy. The evening paired an emblematic architectural setting with opportunities for meaningful engagement, leaving its guests with a Parisian farewell gift, a clear fundraising achievement and a renewed invitation to support the living world.