Sustainability

Sustainability Policy 

Our Commitment 

We are deeply committed to caring for our environment, supporting our communities, and ensuring that the experiences we offer are sustainable, regenerative, and meaningful. Our aim is to protect and celebrate our natural and cultural heritage while creating an economically viable activity centre that benefits visitors, local people, and the environment alike. 

Vision 

To deliver quality experiences that educate participants about the history, cultural heritage, environment, wildlife, and way of life in this unique Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty—while generating a positive impact through sustainable and regenerative tourism practices. 

Guiding Principles 

Our sustainability approach is built around six pillars: 

1. Environmental Stewardship – Protecting and enhancing our natural environment through education, conservation, waste reduction, biodiversity initiatives, and climate action. 

1. Cultural Heritage & Education – Sharing local stories, traditions, wildlife knowledge, and heritage with visitors while building staff skills and knowledge. 

1. Sustainable Operations – Minimising our footprint by reducing carbon emissions, conserving water, managing waste responsibly, and adopting renewable energy. 

1. Local Economic Development – Supporting local businesses, suppliers, and experts to keep value in the community. 

1. Community Engagement – Building strong relationships with local schools, groups, charities, and organisations to support vibrant and inclusive communities. 

1. Collaboration & Advocacy – Partnering with other businesses, councils, charities, and environmental groups to share best practice and amplify impact. 

What We Are Already Doing 

• Running adventure tours with themes around local history, heritage, local food, wellness, environmental stewardship. 

• Staff trained in Leave No Trace and WISE accreditation, passing these values on to visitors. Management have completed the Tourism NI Sustainable Tourism Destinations programme delivered by the Tourism Space.

• Delivering Paddle with a Purpose (PWAP), removing over 55 tons of rubbish from Strangford Lough to date. 

• Supporting local businesses through a Sustainable Purchasing Policy and sourcing locally whenever possible. 

• Offering discounted rates, vouchers, sponsorship and added value for local schools, charities, and community groups. 

• Collaborating with environmental organisations such as Keep NI Beautiful, the National Trust, and Strangford Lough & Lecale Partnership, CIWM 

• Planning an off-grid, resource-efficient eco campsite powered by renewable energy. 

Future Commitments & Goals 

Training & Knowledge 

• Upskill staff in sustainable and regenerative practices (Leave No Trace, WISE, staff training days, crib cards). 

• Adopt a “train the trainer” approach to ensure staff knowledge is continually passed on to visitors. 

Environmental Management 

• Measure and monitor our carbon footprint, with annual reduction targets. 

• Transition to renewable energy (solar, wind, ground source heat pumps) and electric alternatives for vehicles and boats. 

• Install rainwater harvesting and reed bed water purification systems at the glampsite. 

• Implement robust waste management: recycling, composting, and repurposing equipment (e.g., wetsuits). 

• Enhance biodiversity by planting 1,500 trees, creating wildflower meadows, and minimising disturbance to wildlife. 

Community & Inclusion 

• Deliver community-focused events, family fun days, and local discount schemes. 

• Work with AND Council to establish new landing sites for water-based tours that connect visitors to local communities. 

• Carry out accessibility audits, install accessible toilets/showers, and train staff to support inclusive participation. 

Communication & Reporting 

• Publish this Sustainability Policy on our website and update regularly. 

• Share progress on social media, newsletters, and signage at sites and events. 

• Produce annual sustainability reports to measure and communicate achievements. 

Governance 

This policy will be reviewed annually to reflect progress, new opportunities, and stakeholder feedback. Our Sustainability Action Plan (updated August 2025) sets clear goals, responsibilities, and timelines, ensuring accountability and continual improvement.

Sustainability Action Plan

	Goal	Actions	Who	When	Notes
Training & Upskilling
1	Upskilling team in sustainable & regenerative practices	WISe accreditation  Leave No Trace Training  Create Crib Cards  Staff Training Days  Staff Litter Picks – Adopt a Spot	Rory / Andy / Christine      Rory	– Complete  – March 2026  -On Opening of glampsite  -At end of every session
Leaner & Greener
2	Goals for Carbon Emissions & Carbon Footprint	Compile a Sustainable Purchasing Policy  Repurpose wetsuits at the end of their life  Monitor & Measure Carbon Emissions	Rory / Christine	-Complete   -End of Every Summer Season   -On opening of glampsite
3	Goals for energy conservation & energy management	– Solar Panels for charging Ebikes   – Research Electric Alternatives to Petrol engines  Measure petrol usage  Upgrade to Electric alternatives at end of lifecycle  Vehicles  Conduct sustainability audit for glampsite  Wind Power  Ground Source Heat Pumps	Rory / Christine / Andy	May 2026  Ongoing  Ongoing   December 2026  June 2026
4	Goal(s) for Water conservation & Management	Install Reed bed water purifications system for glampsite  Use Rainwater Harvesting butts for cleaning wetsuits & BA’s	Rory / Christine	March 2026      March 2026
5	Goals for Waste Management	Install more compost/Incinerator toilets  Reed Bed System  Install recycling & compost bins  Send all unusable wetsuits to circular flow	Rory / Christine	March 2026      March 2026    October 2025
Better & Brighter
6	Goals for Biodiversity	Staff Crib Cards  Educate Visitors  Minimise Disturbance  Plant 1500 Trees  Wildflower Meadow	Rory  All Staff  Andy & Boat Staff  Rory / Christine	Completed  Ongoing  Ongoing  Completed  March 2026
7	Goals for Accessibility & Inclusion	Install Accessible Toilets and Showers  Carry out Disability Sport NI Audit  Disability Training	Rory / Chrisitne / Andy	Mar 2026    April 2025    April 2025	Delayed (staff turnover)  Delayed (staff turnover)
8	Goals for Leave No Trace & Responsible Behaviours Outdoors	Leave No Trace Training  Wise Training	Rory / Chrisitne / Andy	Completed
9	Goals Relating to Community	Family Fun Days  Voucher Donations  Charity Event Discounts  Calendar of events  Organise 5 x PWAP Events per season	Rory / Christine / Andy	2 Events in 2024    Ongoing  Ongoing  Partially Completed
Louder & Prouder
10	Goals relating to communicating and marketing our sustainable & regenerative practices	Measure & Report  Signage  Upload Policy  Update Website  Social Media Plan	Rory / Christine / Andy	December 2025  Jan 2026  June 2025 Completed  January 2026  Ongoing

 

 Strangford Lough Activity Centre is a proud member of Lough’s and Legend’s Sustainable Tourism Cluster. A collection of businesses with a strong environmental ethos who are working together to share best practice and promote sustainable tourism options in Ards and North Down Borough Council.