Capilano’s Commitment to a Sustainable Future
Capilano Suspension Bridge is committed to sustainability and preserving our naturally thrilling park. Nature Wise, our green team, works year-round internally and with the community to ensure that we are a sustainable neighbor on the North Shore. Our Nature Wise mission is to connect our guests and team members with the nature experience at Capilano Suspension Bridge and to inspire them to make a positive and lasting contribution in their community.
We have four environmental priorities that include:
- Community
- Conservation
- Sustainable practices
- Education
Stacy, our Communications Manager hard at work planting trees
Community
Capilano Suspension Bridge has a tradition of supporting organizations and charities on the north shore. As a leader in the tourism industry, we take pride in contributing to our community. Nature Wise coordinates several events throughout the year. Every September, we lead a shoreline clean-up on the lower Capilano River as part of the TD Shoreline Clean-up. Throughout the spring, we volunteer to remove invasive species in local parks. During the summer months, our team members volunteer weekly to clean up garbage on the streets surrounding Capilano Suspension Bridge.
Capilano team members are lean mean cleaning machines at the TD Great Canadian Shoreline Clean Up
Conservation
The 27 acres of park and rainforest at the Capilano Suspension Bridge are managed to ensure the ecosystem is vital and thriving. From caring for the trees to protecting the forest floor, our team works year-round to conserve the land. In the past 3 years, we have planted over 200 trees and shrubs and we remove invasive species to promote a natural environment.
Our Treetops Adventure provides a squirrel’s eye view for our guests and teaches them about rainforest conservation. Treetops Adventure won the 2006 APEGBC Environmental Award for Design and Construction because it does no harm to the trees from which it is suspended.
This year, we invited Raptors Ridge to share their raptor birds and educate guests on the importance of preserving the environment for wildlife.
The Treehouse is made out of reclaimed wood from old grain elevators in Saskatchewan; as well as wood from the the Downtown Vancouver Hudsons Bay Company.
Sustainability Practices
In 2009, Capilano Suspension Bridge participated in Ecotrust Canada’s Climate Smart program (put link). By learning how to measure and reduce our carbon emissions, we are empowered to manage our business in a sustainable and responsible manner. We have committed to reducing our carbon emissions by 10% in 2009 through carbon and cost saving measures. Here are some examples of what we do every day:
- We serve Ocean Wise Seafood
- We purchase organic, fair trade coffee
- We are a committed partner to Metro Vancouver’s zero waste challenge
- Onsite composting and contracted services for organic waste
- A comprehensive recycling program that includes:
- Newspaper, office paper, cardboard, tin, glass and plastics
- Refundable beverage containers
- Styrofoam
- End-of-life E-Waste
- Batteries
- Keys
- Christmas Lights
- Conducted a lighting audit – conversion to the most energy efficient bulbs and ballasts in 2007
- Provide stainless steel cutlery (instead of plastic) in our quick serve Food & Beverage facilities
- Consolidated office supply ordering with a focus on sustainable and local choices
- Team Members receive free beverages every day if they use a reusable cup or mug
- Provided our entire team with aluminum water bottles to eliminate the need to purchase bottled water
- Provide WA2 filtered water instead of bottled water in our offices
- Installed secure bike racks to encourage Team Members to ride to work
Education:
At Capilano Suspension Bridge, we believe in educating our Team Members on environmental stewardship. Our team is passionate about nature and love sharing their knowledge with our guests. We have implemented minimum environmental standards for all departments and meet annually to assess opportunities and celebrate achievements.
Every year, we provide 3800 nature tours to guests visiting from around the world. On a nature tour, a guest learns all about a temperate rainforest and the wonderful wildlife they may encounter. Guests may see a banana slug or take in the aroma of skunk cabbage. It is different every day and our Nature Guides are always available to answer guest questions.
Rainforest Explorer is an educational scavenger hunt that allows students to learn about the ecosystem in a fun and interactive way
Educating children about nature is an important part of what we do. Throughout the school year, we host the Capilano School Programs providing school groups with classes on the rainforest, the salmon habitat or the First Nations connection with nature. Our outdoor classroom gives children an opportunity to connect with nature and appreciate the environment.
On a daily basis, we provide the Rainforest Explorer’s program for children visiting the park. Each year we have over 18,000 certified Rainforest Explorers that complete the challenge of learning about the trees and animals in the rainforest. They receive their badge after meeting a Nature Guide who teaches them how we are all connected with the ecosystem.
We’ve learned that every little step counts and everyone of us has the power to make a change that will have a huge impact collectively for the better.
