Green Policy & Challenge Invitation
A Responsible Boaters Charter
From the day it opened in 1999 Canoe Adventures has been committed to good sustainable environmental practice. We constantly work to improve our profile, convey the 'green message' to our customers and to minimise any adverse effects on the natural environment that is our workplace. It is both privilege and responsibility to work where we do in the way that we do.
We joined the Green Tourism Business Scheme in 2003 and achieved our first Gold Award in 2005.
- Our aim was and is to promote canoeing – it is eco-friendly and fun, inclusive and healthy. Whatever one's age or ability it is an excellent way to become acquainted with the natural environment of watery places. By innovating the use of 12-seater Voyager canoes, each with its steersman-guide, the age range of people who can join is marvellously extended, from babies to those in their 80s.
- Each Canoe Adventures canoe is annually inspected and licensed to operate by the Dart Harbour Authority. Each steersman has the necessary personal competencies to be engaged by the Company and receives ongoing inservice training. Each also holds the appropriate Boatmans Licence annually approved by the Harbour Authority.
- Canoes are carbon-neutral – they use no fossil fuel and create no pollution. Since opening for business we calculate some 37,000 individuals have paddled with us. At an average of 6 miles per outing this gives 222,000 pollution free miles over the ground.
- Canoe Adventures also innovated and now produces the ‘Hotsam’, a small, lightweight flatpacking campfire brazier, often lit using flint and steel (great for kids!) to make no-trace campfires and barbecues, thus demonstrating and encouraging no-trace methods to guest-crew. Please click the Hotsam tab on page left.
- We have a zero-tolerance litter policy and run a volunteer annual litter-picking event on the Dart Estuary. This event originated with the welcome assistance of Devon Wildlife Trust, and Canoe Adventures has been a corporate member ever since.
- We recycle, re-use or compost all the waste we can, use washable beakers and picnic-boxes, compostable bags and refillable water bottles. All operational batteries are rechargeables. We buy recycled paper products and use eco-cleaners.
- Canoe Adventures’ latest canoes are the 9 metre 12-seater Longbow, designed and built by local craftsmen. We have 2 in regular use and have sold 3 to date to outdoor providers nationally. We are replacing our original paddles imported from Canada, by comissioning handmade Dartmoor ash paddles. Locally grown, locally made.
- The silent canoe gets close to wildlife, seals often follow us. The Company canoe steersmen all share their knowledge of estuary wildlife and how to enjoy nature and follow the Country Code without detrimental impact on the environment. We have ‘spotters guides’ and childrens' I-Spy sheets available too. We built a floating moorhen sanctuary nearby our launch point which is used by nesting moorhens each Spring.
- Canoe Adventures serves all Fairtrade tea, coffee and hot chocolate on its outings. Customers love it !!
- Canoe Adventures is proud to hold a Green Business award, to spread the 'green message' and to support other green businesses and the many local suppliers and attractions.
Go Green Challenge
We took on the challenge to strive for a more sustainable greener future reckoning there are countless others who are recognising the predictions about on-coming climate change, ice melt and peak oil and who want to try do something possible and practical to meet it. It is a tiny start but carried forward it can increase. It has increased. You may wish to know more and maybe lend a hand.
Conserve Energy
Switch off unused electrics * Cancel standby lights * Adopt longlife bulbs & use LEDs *Buy A+ rated appliances * Use Eco washing machine settings * Invest in an Owl electricity monitor * Think longterm.
Park The Car
Calculate alternatives *Take a driver's day-off once a week * Be a 'smarter' driver * Enjoy a walk. *Is there a bus? * Vehicle share * Hire a bike * Join a carpool * Go by canoe!
Shop Greener
Buy local * Buy fresh * Buy tasty * Take a shopping bag * Use farmers'markets. * Avoid excess packaging. * Grow your own if you can * Use recycled * Buy Fairtrade
Reduce Re-use Recycle
Email saves paper * Sort the rubbish * Own a compost heap* Use Freecycle
Water
Monitor water use * Consider a water meter * Mend leaking taps * Shower not bath. * Harvest rain for watering the garden * Check out solar heated water
Respect
Nature is diverse and fragile * Follow the Country Code * Take litter home * Respect and enjoy the environment * Leave only footprints
Contacts
Green Tourism Business Scheme a national sustainable tourism certification scheme for the UK
Totnes Information Centre and Dartmouth Information Centre for information on public transport, interesting local walks and of course local accommodation and activities
Transition Town Totnes a dynamic community-led charity that is strengthening the local economy, reducing the cost of living and preparing for a future with less oil and a changing climate
Hot Pursuit in Totnes for bicycle hire and informaion on local cycle routes
Freecycle a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns
The Energy Saving Trust for independent and impartial advice and information you can trust on all aspects of saving energy and money
The Environment Agency an executive public body responsible to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which aims to protect and improve the environment and promote sustainable development
Envirowise the one-stop shop for resource efficiency