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What’s Green About Ecotourism Business West Coast Expeditions

What's Green About West Coast Expeditions

West Coast Expeditions offers unique wilderness retreat and sea kayaking tours on Spring Island, off the west coast of Vancouver Island. They have always operated as a sustainable business with a minimal environmental footprint, and have built a strong connection to the Kyuquot community over the past 40 years.

Top 5 Unique Green Actions

Current owners, Dave and Caroline are doing a lot of sustainable actions, but here are the top 5 green actions that make West Coast Expeditions truly unique.

1. Solar Panels
Solar Panels West Coast Expeditions

Base camp is off the grid with minimal power needs served by a 400 W solar system backed up by an efficient generator.

2. Exceptional Employee Care

Staff - West Coast Expeditions Green Tourism Canada
Winner of Employee Choice Award from Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce, January 2016

They take such good care of their employees, who seek them out because of their social and environmental values, that veteran guides come back year after year. In fact, they just won the Employee’s Choice Award from the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce in January 2016.

3. Repurposed Propane Stove

Propane Stove Green Tourism West Coast Expeditions
30 Year Old Repurposed Propane Stove from the Kyuquot School

With a donation to the local Kyuquot Elementary and Secondary School, Dave acquired their retired 30-year old propane oven, moved it to Spring Island, and eliminated the need to run a generator to support the electricity needs of their previous gas oven. This extended the life of an oven otherwise destined to become scrap metal.

 

4. Unique First Nations Experience

kyuquot_checleset_first_nations_11
Building Capacity, Education and Training with Kyuquot and Checleset First Nations

With local First Nations ownership, West Coast Expeditions is committed to building capacity, education and training collaboration with the Kyuquot & Checleset First Nations, which offers guests a truly unique cultural experience.

 

5. Volunteer Wardens of Nature

Volunteer Wardens for British Columbia’s largest ecological reserve: Checleset Bay Ecological Reserve
Staff Act as Volunteer Wardens for British Columbia’s largest ecological reserve: Checleset Bay Ecological Reser

The team acts as Volunteer Wardens for British Columbia’s largest ecological reserve: Checleset Bay Ecological Reserve and supports a variety of marine-focused environmental NGOs as well as 1% for the Planet.

Why Did They Choose Certification?

“I just seemed an obvious fit and an opportunity to systematically assess our practices while gaining external feedback, expertise, and ideas for continuing to improve our ecological footprint.”

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