The goal of Day of IMPACT is to showcase the many diverse ways a community encourages sustainable and regenerative business practices, supporting and supported by both residents and visitors to the region.
The ideas we share are chosen to spark change and be emulated in other communities around the world. Hear from folks in the tourism industry who have been successful in implementing sustainable and regenerative business practices, sharing their challenges, and their mitigation strategies. Return home inspired and armed with resources and connections to make a difference where you live. In fact, all participants are encouraged to share their own best practices, so that the learning is as broad as it is enriching.
As we plan for the Day of IMPACT 2024, we are honoured to be visiting Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific, Canada’s most international school and the country’s only United World College.
Pearson College UWC is located along the forested shores of the Pacific Ocean at sheltered Pedder Bay, on the southernmost tip of Vancouver Island and they are proud to acknowledge that they live and learn on the unceded territory of the Sc’ianew (Beecher Bay) First Nation.
In order to travel to Pedder Bay we are once again engaging the assistance of one of Victoria’s early adopters in the realm of environmental stewardship, Eagle Wing Tours ably assisted by Prince of Whales Whale Watching.
You will experience an unforgettable Day of IMPACT on the Salish Sea as a guest with Eagle Wing Tours Whale & Wildlife Watching and Prince of Whales Whale & Marine Wildlife Adventures. After an official welcome by representatives of the Songhees Nation, board your vessel at 8:30 a.m. in Victoria’s Inner Harbour for a scenic 2.5- to 3-hour wildlife tour west to Pearson College at Pedder Bay. Along the way, you’ll be served breakfast, coffee, tea and hot chocolate as we stop at Esquimalt Lagoon where bird experts will speak about the Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary, celebrating its 100th anniversary, and the importance of protecting coastal habitat.
A little further west, a stop in Whirl Bay, where team members from Eagle Wing’s award-winning "Exploring the Salish Sea" education program will talk about this unique community-based school program. Finishing this portion of the day by visiting Race Rocks Ecological Reserve, a biodiversity hotspot where you’ll see seals, sea lions, eagles, a historic lighthouse and much more. Plus, there’s always a chance of a whale or two!
While on site at Lester B. Pearson College we will enjoy a hearty and delicious meal prepared by Truffles Catering who have maintained a commitment to innovation in environmental stewardship since the inception of their sustainability program in 2008.
As well we will take part in a bespoke presentation for this group while meeting some of the students from the Climate Action Leadership Diploma Program.
Shayna Zand, Director of Partnerships & Enterprise Sales at WeTravel and Vice-Chair of the Board at Tourism Cares will share with us how we can incorporate a foundational piece of the Tourism Cares programming into all our own events. Showcasing how they connect the local community to visitors, while truly exemplifying the adage that ‘tourism can be a force for good’.
Then we will travel by coach with Pacific Northwest Transportation Services, whose commitment to environmental excellence is demonstrated through their B Corp Certification, commitment to being carbon neutral through offsetting while working diligently to build more sustainable transportation modes. They just don’t talk climate – they live their environmental values every day. We are very appreciative of their longstanding support of IMPACT.
Next, our destination, Bilston Creek Farm, a lavender farm in Metchosin, rich in history dating back to 1851. Once we arrive we will experience a Bilston Signature Creek distillation demonstration in copper alembic kettles and a compelling presentation by owner Dr. Andrew Penn.
Still more to come, but we are just tying up the final details, so be sure to check back!
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