Our aim is to provide an appreciation of the National Park with responsible, sustainable and caring service.
Carbon Neutral means much more than planting trees and recycling.
Ideally, to preserve our National Park in its natural state, we wouldn't allow anyone to visit. This would deny everyone the pleasure of experiencing the unique beauty we are trying to preserve. Therefore, we try to minimise our environmental footprint by:
- Using resources as efficiently as possible.
- Reducing output to assist recycling in our waste management programmes.
- Encouraging regeneration of the natural forest through pest control and replanting initiatives.
Our Beachfront Lodges, Meadowbank Homestead - Awaroa Bay and Torrent Bay Lodge, are built as eco lodges from sustainable and recycled wood sources. Water usage and power generation are designed to minimise the impact of our Lodges on both the natural and social environment of the Park, without losing the convenience and comfort of modern facilities.
- Solar systems installed for power generation with diesel power generation backup.
- Bio-active, self contained sewerage and waste water systems.
- Organic and biodegradable cleaning systems.
- Food sourced locally from organic and environmentally responsible suppliers.
- Lodge operations designed to minimise waste. All rubbish taken out of the Park to community recycling and refuse stations.
- Itineraries, luggage transfers and Lodge supply deliveries designed to use scheduled transport services.
- All group departures follow strict Dept. of Conservation guidelines. Small groups and highly trained Guides encourage environmental conservation.
- Operations and services designed to minimise any negative impact on local communities.
- Founding members of the Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust, a community project assisted by Dept. of Conservation, to reduce numbers of bird predators and foreign weeds introduced into the Park.
We are pilot members of the Nelson-Tasman Sustainable Tourism Charter. This is an initiative set up by the New Zealand Ministry of Tourism and Ministry for the Environment. It recognises the importance of involving communities to help develop achievable and understandable actions to achieve both business and environmental sustainability.
Environmental Policy
Wilsons Abel Tasman Environmental 10 Point Checklist is based on Department of Conservation's Environmental Care Code:
- 1. Protect Native Plants and Animals
- 2. Remove Rubbish
Guides remove litter found in the Park and all rubbish from our Lodges is transported for disposal at recycling stations and council refuse dumps.
- 3. Bury Toilet Waste
Guests encouraged to use toilet facilities provided on the track. In areas without toilet facilities, encouraged to bury toilet waste in a shallow hole well away from waterways, tracks, campsites and huts.
- 4. Keep Streams and Lakes Clean
Lodge waste water is strictly monitored with on-site sewerage treatment using the latest technology to minimise waste water. Lodges use minimal and environmentally friendly cleaning agents. All laundry is sent out of the Park to commercial cleaners.
- 5. Take Care With Fires
Guides use portable fuel stoves.
- 6. Camp Carefully
When camping, leave no trace of your visit.
- 7. Keep to the Track
- 8. Consider Others
- 9. Respect Our Cultural Heritage
Guides trained to understand and respect spiritual and historical significance of areas in the Park.
- 10. Enjoy Your Visit
Our guides are trained to ensure our guests' comfort and safety, whilst informing them about the environment we work in, and how to protect it for the enjoyment of future generations.
Environmental Aims
- Continue to deliver a low impact, high quality fun experience that educates and informs guests of the past, present and future issues in our environment.
- Staff training to involve Department of Conservation to increase our awareness of park issues, the Environmental Care Code and assistance with pest control within the Park.
- Continued involvement with the local community and organisations working within the Park, e.g. Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust.
- Incorporation of environmental preservation issues into site redevelopment planning.
- Continued involvement and advocacy for the Sustainable Tourism Charter being developed by the Ministry for the Environment.
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