Sustainability Statement

What began as a small plot of farmland on a Special Area of Conservation and a dream to diversify the land to create a prime tourism destination, Cavan Adventure Centre was born in 2008.  Owner Sean Thornton has a passion for water sports, people and the environment.  This combined along with an opportunity to showcase the land that led to the creation of our outdoor activity centre and opening of the waterways for people to explore.  Naturally all activities operate with minimal carbon footprint.

We aim to follow and promote good sustainability practice and encourage our customers to do the same.  We promote all aspects of sound environmental practice through our outdoor education events such as our Biodiversity Tours.  For 2023 Cavan Adventure Centre will focus on installing a water drinking fountain to encourage less plastic bottle waste and commence a Rainwater Harvesting Project to reduce levels of water usage.

Our Sustainability Policy is based upon the following principles:

• To integrate sustainability considerations into all our business decisions
• To minimise the carbon footprint of all office and outdoor activities and offset emissions where possible
• To promote renewable energy sources and schemes
• To ensure all staff are fully aware of our Sustainability Policy through training and are committed to implementing and improving it
• To make our customers aware of our Sustainability Policy and encourage them to adopt sound sustainable practises
• To continually strive to improve our sustainability performance and review this annually

In order to put these principles into practice we will:

• Avoid physically travelling to meetings etc. where alternatives are available and practical, such as Zoom meetings or teleconferencing.  These options are time efficient as well as having a minimal carbon footprint
• Make donations to offset carbon emissions from our activities
• Minimise use of paper and other consumables as well as continually identifying other opportunities to reduce waste e.g. emailing invoices
• As far as possible arrange for the reuse or recycling of Centre waste including redundant office and activity related equipment
• Reduce the energy consumption of the Centre by purchasing energy efficient equipment and entertaining good housekeeping
• Only purchase electricity from a supplier committed to renewable energy and support investment in new renewable energy schemes
• Purchase locally sourced fair-trade and/or organic snacks and beverages for the Tuck Shop
• Continued participation in efforts to improve environmental protection and understanding through engaging in voluntary biodiversity events with the local community, local schools and environmental organisations
• Promote ‘Leave No Trace’ at all times
• Provide a safe and healthful workplace and working environment

Sustainability Action Plan

Further Project:

Installing a Geopark Walk to highlight the Built and Natural Heritage and Biodiversity of the area

Action Steps to Address this Project

Step 1:  Organise a meeting with members of the Geopark Management Team

• Timeframe:  2023

Step 2:  Further actions will be determined by the outcome of the meeting

• Timeframe: 2023

Further Project:

Contribute to the revitalization and rejuvenation of surrounding towns and villages through dispersing tourist groups via bike hire, kayak hire and guided tours.

Action Steps to Address this Project

Step 1:  Bike and kayak routes are already established and maps are on the website and in print form.  Installation of way markers and modest signage to compliment the landscape will need to be discussed with the local Tourism Officer and an Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands representative.

• Timeframe:  2023

Step 2:  In direct instructions from the above meeting, routes can be clarified and printed maps will not be required.

• Timeframe: 2023

Step 3:  Guided bike/kayak tours can be organised in conjunction with local communities and expert guides to enhance the visitor experience.

For example: A guided bike tour from Cavan Adventure Centre to Geopark site Killykeen Forest Park with breaks at Geopark sites Rann Point and Drumlane Abbey, lunch in Miltown Village or Killeshandra and on to Killykeen Forest Park.   A tour such as this will bring the area to life for the visitor and generate income for local shops/cafes/tour guides.

• Timeframe: 2023

Green Purchasing Policy

We, at Cavan Adventure Centre, consider ‘green purchasing’ as an important element in helping to achieve sustainable tourism development.  We endeavour to procure only locally sourced and environmentally friendly products.  This will include and not limited to items that are:

• Durable, as opposed to disposable
• Highly energy efficient
• Recyclable or safely disposable
• Manufactured in an environmentally sound manner
• Delivered with minimal packaging
• Preferably made with recycled and/or recyclable materials

Further Initiatives

Office Stationery

• All paper made from recycled paper
• Printing only when necessary and only in black and white where possible
• Digital bookings and zero use of filling in booking forms

Promotional Material

• Made from recycled material and locally sourced
• Limited number of physical brochures/posters
• Advertising will be achieved mainly via digital means, including social media and emailing offers/promotions