If you鈥檝e had the experiences of viewing wildlife in its natural environment, or walking among giant West Coast trees, you鈥檒l know it can totally change your view of why it鈥檚 important to protect such things.
It might be socializing in the Salish Sea or Discovery Passage, or watching a grizzly bear forage for food.
But protecting wild areas and its inhabitants takes a concentrated effort, notes Stephen Gabrysh, co-owner of . They recently embarked upon a program whereby people taking their tours not only help the company to become carbon neutral and better, they鈥檙e doing their small part to preserve wild habitat for future generations.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 important because nature really is the reason why we鈥檙e able to do what we do,鈥� says Gabrysh, who purchased the company with Tyler Bruce last year from founder 鈥淗urricane Jack鈥� Springer and his partners Jen and Aaron. 鈥淣ature has given us so much, from the wildlife we view to the beautiful sights that we have all around us, it鈥檚 time that we focus on giving back to nature.鈥�
You鈥檒l be a partner in a global project
, a German-Canadian organization whose mandate is to purchase pristine forest areas for long-term protection, partners with 13 companies on its projects, including Air Canada and Campbell River Whale Watching.
The North Island partnership sees at least $1 for every tour guest go toward purchasing carbon offsets, which come in the form of Wilderness International purchasing and protecting old growth forest land. As a guest you also receive a postcard with an online code providing geo-co-ordinates of the land you helped protect. In 2018, with Campbell River Whale Watching reaching carbon neutral status, its guests protected .
Company started green trend early
Even before it began working to protect remote forests, the company was taking steps to . By doing things like reducing paper use, collecting $1 per guest for an hosted by the North Island Marine Mammal Stewardship Association, packing guest lunches in reusable containers and ensuring their boats are as fuel efficient as possible, they obtained a silver rating from and won a Tourism Vancouver 2018 Sustainability Award.
Take your pick of tours, help preserve nature
Whether your preference is to and glimpse their power, in their natural habitat along the Orford River, enjoy a smorgasbord of or of a changing tide, you鈥檝e got choices with Campbell River Whale Watching.
Gabrysh hopes other companies follow their lead in helping preserve natural spaces. 鈥淲e鈥檙e just one company, but if we can show some leadership and encourage others to do the same, the impact will be even greater.鈥�
Check them out or call them at 250-287-2667, or toll free at 1-877-909-2667. You can also follow them or .
