Livingstone's fruit bat (Richard Wainwright)
The conservation charity, headquartered at the world renowned Trinity wildlife park, is one of only three organizations in Jersey to achieve the Gold standard in the UK’s leading sustainable tourism certification scheme.
Commenting on Durrell’s green initiatives and management policies, Jon Proctor of Green Tourism said “Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust operates an innovative wildlife park which cares for endangered species from the most threatened habitats in the world. It is an iconic attraction for Jersey and supports positive community activities from recycling to species conservation, including the red-billed chough and agile frog, both locally endangered”
Discussing some of the latest initiatives at the 32 acre site he continued; “New developments have embedded and pioneered sustainable best practice from an ‘earthship’ style bat tunnel, built with old tyres, glass and straw, to a new entrance, restaurant and shop with sun pipes, LED lights and recycled furniture. The Trust does a lot of international training and development and offsets all carbon through rainforest protection and tree planting in Brazil. They have made good progress since the last assessment and are worthy Gold award winner.”
Applicants to the Green Tourism Business Scheme must demonstrate a commitment to sustainable tourism and implement a range of procedures minimising damage to the environments in which they operate. Furthermore member organisations must meet minimum standards of good practice across a range of sustainable development indicators.
Durrell Site Environmental Coordinator Gordon Hunt said “We are delighted to have achieved the Gold Award from Green Tourism. Durrell are dedicated to promoting a sustainability ethos in everything we do and hope to continue to strive to communicate this to all our stakeholders”
Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust
No comments:
Post a Comment