Our goals for conservation and sustainability are simple –
Do all that we can to protect and conserve the environment so that our kids will be able to enjoy and appreciate the same wonders of nature that we have.
Our sustainable initiatives set out below further enhance what we have been doing as leaders within the kayaking Industry and the Australian tourism sector for many years.
Recently Kayak Noosa was announced as a finalist in the Steve Irwin Award for Ecotourism Category at the 2011 Queensland Tourism Awards and proudly won the prestigious Enviro Business Award at the 2011 Sunshine Coast Living Smart Awards. Affectionately referred to as ‘The Glossies’, the awards are regarded as the Sunshine Coast’s premier accolade recognising and celebrating sustainability achievements of Sunshine Coast residents, businesses and community groups.
Kayak Noosa was also the winner of The Sunshine Coast Environment Council’s award for Sustainable Tourism. (The Froggie Award) at their 2010 Environment Awards. Read all about it here: Kayak Noosa Wins Sustainable Tourism Award
We are proud to have attained Advanced Ecotourism Accreditation, which is the highest level of environmental accreditation that can be achieved in Australia.
What does Advanced Ecotourism mean? Australia's leading and most innovative ecotourism products, providing an opportunity to learn about the environment with an operator who is committed to achieving best practice when using resources wisely, contributing to the conservation of the environment and helping local communities.
Our Philosophy
Our philosophy and mission is to ~
- ~ Promote kayaking as an excellent outdoor activity
- ~ Teach respect and consideration for our environment and wildlife
- ~ Promote low impact safe kayak touring
- ~ Point out the many health advantages of kayak paddling
- ~ Have FUN and Smile plenty
We strive to fulfill these objectives every day, with each interaction that we have with our clients, the public and other paddlers.
Our Sustainable Initiatives
Leave No Trace Touring
Essentially...take only photos, leave only footprints.
Wildlife Viewing Guidelines
Codes of conduct regarding keeping a safe distance from and limiting viewing times with marine mammals, bird and wildlife, on and off the water.
Education
All of our guides are outdoor educators, interpreters and naturalists in their own right with varying degrees of experience/expertise in a wide variety of areas. We love to share our passion, knowledge and enthusiasm for the marine environment, through interpretation and teachable moments as they unfold in a casual and laid back manner.
Transportation
We are currently researching fuel efficient hybrid biodiesel/ diesel powered vans for replacement of our current vehicles.
Recycling
Our office program is pretty straightforward. All paper/plastic/metal/tin products are separated & recycled.
On the water we are always collecting rubbish, flotsam and debris which we bring back to shore with us for disposal. Waste from our tours is separated into recyclables, garbage and compost. We strongly encourage guides & guests to reduce, reuse and recycle.
Composting
We compost all organic waste for re-use on our fruit and vegetable garden. Our worm farm also enjoys the benefits of organic food waste.
Local and Organic Foods
We organically grow most of the fruit and salad ingredients for the meals provided on our kayaking adventures. Our fruit orchard and vegetable garden is based on Permaculture principals which helps to ensure the long term sustainability of our agricultural practices.
Where and whenever possible, we strive to buy local and/or organic foods and support the producers and suppliers of local and organic products.
Energy Efficiency at the Office
Kayak Noosa’s home office is run out of a small energy efficient building constructed of rammed earth with solar power and solar hot water. All our water is harvested on site and is 100% pure from the clear skies above.
We are currently working with the owners of the Boathouse Marina, where our Kayak Centre is located, to investigate ways to improve our energy efficiency. We are advocating for the installation of solar power at this premises.
Gear and Equipment
We purchase ethically sourced products and buy as locally as possible.
Advertising
Kayak Noosa has always thrived on good old word of mouth.
Currently 70% of our clients find us through our web based advertising, with this percentage growing and our web presence becoming more recognised we are hoping to reduce the amount of printed brochures we use.
Our next run of printed brochures will be printed on paper stock from recycled sources using organic inks.
Over the long term we are also aiming to cease the use of printed material and just use web based advertising in the future.
Affiliations
Noosa Parks Association
We are proud to be active members of the Noosa Parks Association and Project Officers for the Noosa River and lakes system. The objectives of Noosa Parks Association are:
1) Protection of the natural environment within the greater Noosa Cooloola region.
2) Encouraging sustainable human behavior and built environment within the greater Noosa Cooloola region.
3) Establishing environment and/or information centres, and conducting direct action projects and public education forums and campaigns, to assist in the achievement of (1) and (2) above.
Permaculture Noosa
Permaculture Noosa is an Incorporated Association formed to encourage and promote Permaculture within the Noosa area of the Sunshine Coast of Australia. The Noosa group is one of the most active in the world. Permaculture (permanent agriculture) is the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems. It is the harmonious integration of landscape and people providing their food, energy, shelter, and other material and non-material needs in a sustainable way. Without permanent agriculture there is no possibility of a stable social order.
Noosa Paddler’s
We are the founders of this informal social group that meets each Sunday to enjoy a group paddle and meet other like minded paddlers. The aim of the Noosa Paddler’s is to promote all forms of recreational paddling to our local community, to advocate for a healthy active lifestyle, and to develop an appreciation for and commitment to our unique natural environment.
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
We are active supporters of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, which is an international non-profit, marine wildlife conservation organization. Their mission is to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world's oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species.
Sea Shepherd uses innovative direct-action tactics to investigate, document, and take action when necessary to expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas. By safeguarding the biodiversity of our delicately-balanced ocean ecosystems, Sea Shepherd works to ensure their survival for future generations.
Australian Marine Conservation Society
The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) is the voice for Australia's oceans. They work on behalf of the community to protect our ocean wildlife, make our fisheries sustainable and create places in the sea where our precious ocean animals are safe from harm.AMCS is an independent charity. They are a committed group of professional and passionate scientists, educators and advocates who have defended Australia's oceans for over forty years.
Beyond Zero Emmissions
We support Beyond Zero Emissions and their Zero Carbon Australia 2020 plan. BZE is an independent, not-for-profit organisation. They receive no government or industry funding. Their core goal is to develop blueprints for the implementation of climate change solutions that will rapidly reduce emissions and give our society and global ecosystems a chance of surviving into the future. They also run broad-based education campaigns based on this research.