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Member Spotlight: Hello Nature Adventure Tours Ltd

ByAngela Nagy

“Hello Nature is not just a tour company – we’re an education company whose mission is to help protect our home and environment by providing knowledgeable and respectful tours that honor the land we live on” — Hello Nature Adventure Tours is certified Gold with GreenStep Sustainable Tourism. Continue reading to learn more about their journey towards sustainability:

Tell us a bit about your business. What makes you different?

Over the last few years at Hello Nature, we have been pursuing sustainability initiatives in all facets of our business. We have received Biosphere Certification through the United Nations, Gold Certification from GreenStep and Green/Surfrider Approved from BC Green Business Collective. We have converted our Broken Group Island day trip into Shore-line clean ups. We have numerous local partnerships: Heartwood Kitchen, The Den, The Aquarium, T-bird Bikes, The Rotary, Ucluelet Brewery, Surf Rider Pacific Rim, BC Marine Trail Network, Cameron Adventures, Subtidal Adventures, Black Rock Resort.

Here are some of the programs and initiatives we are proud to be a part of:

  • Youth programs courses through the Ucluelet Community Centre
  • Member of the Tourism Ucluelet Executive Board
  • Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC Executive Board
  • Member Speaker for the Youth Career Exploration Workshop hosted by West Coast Nest
  • Promote donations to local environmental non-profits on our website
  • Donate gift certificates or money to environmental non-profit programs.

Why is sustainability important to you/your business?

We know that businesses like ours, and tourism to Ucluelet in general, rely on the natural beauty of this incredible place we call home. We are passionate about proactively caring for the lands and waters, giving back to our community and preserving the environment for future generations.

Why did you join GreenStep Sustainable Tourism?

When we learned the term Regenerative Tourism; We saw a future where every business gave back to their community, environment and economy. This lead us on a journey where we looked at every aspect of our business through the lens of “Leave No Trace” and the Nuu-cha-nuulth belief “everything is one and everything is connected”. We have implemented 116 actions and and have long way to go. Some plans will take a few hours and others will take months/years.

What sustainability related projects, policies or initiatives do you most want travelers to know about?

Through collaboration with Surfrider Pacific Rim and the BC Marine Trail Network, we have agreed to regularly maintain and clean the following campsites and locations; Beg Island, Francis Island, George Fraser and the Broken Group Islands. We have also integrated clean-ups into our kayaking day trips, 1 hour from each tour is dedicated to cleaning, sorting and packaging marine debris for removal. So far this season we have removed over 300 Kg of marine debris. We are so proud of our staff and volunteers. Ethical Ecotourism Practices Every guide at Hello Nature Adventure tours will educate our guests on wildlife viewing guidelines and how to ensure an encounter is safe and has the least impact possible on the wildlife. follow “leave no trace” camping practices Partnered with the Den, a local zero waste and refillery store, curated a camp essentials package for us with refillable products. The Den also provides us with all our ocean friendly cleaning products. zero-waste efforts included our recycling program and single-use plastic reduction with help from Surfrider Pacific Rim. We contact local manufacturers before delivery to try and reduce plastic packaging This year we took the WildSafeBC Business Pledge, this pledge means we have committed to; keeping all wildlife attractants secure at all times, training staff to follow WildSafeBC best practices, providing guests with accurate information and advice, and reporting any conflicts with wildlife to the Conservation Officer Service. We have been Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Park Allies since the conception of Hello Nature and have supported the Tseshaht Beach Keeper program and fees since they started in 2019.

What are some goals and/or actions you plan to take in the future to further increase the sustainability of your business?

Starting this year, for every Ucluelet Harbour Kayak Tour, one tree is planted with the Blue Green Planet Project and for every Multi-Day Kayaking Trip 1% is donated to Red Fish’s Kelp Restoration Project in Barkley Sound. Continue with WildSafe BC and have our guides all certified. This will require a Bear Spray Course in September.

To learn more about Hello Nature Adventure Tours Ltd – visit: hellonature.ca