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:

Environmental Stewardship – Protecting and enhancing our natural environment through education, conservation, waste reduction, biodiversity initiatives, and climate action.
Cultural Heritage & Education – Sharing local stories, traditions, wildlife knowledge, and heritage with visitors while building staff skills and knowledge.
Sustainable Operations – Minimising our footprint by reducing carbon emissions, conserving water, managing waste responsibly, and adopting renewable energy.
Local Economic Development – Supporting local businesses, suppliers, and experts to keep value in the community.
Community Engagement – Building strong relationships with local schools, groups, charities, and organisations to support vibrant and inclusive communities.
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.

Strangford Lough and the Local Environment

Strangford Lough is one of Northern Ireland’s most important natural landscapes and is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a Marine Nature Reserve, and a site of scientific importance. The lough supports a wide range of wildlife and habitats, making it a unique setting for outdoor and water sports activities.

Activities delivered by Strangford Lough Activity Centre encourage respect for the environment and awareness of the natural surroundings. Environmental considerations are incorporated into sessions wherever appropriate, helping participants develop a greater understanding of the landscape they are using.

Environmental Education

Thanks to BBC television series ‘Blue Planet 2’ and ‘The war on plastic’ with Hugh and Anita, plastic pollution, has hit the headlines in a big way. Never have the public been more aware of the damage that single use plastics do to the environment. At SLAC we are very grateful to have a beautiful country that we can call home with a moderate climate that makes Outdoor Activities viable all year round. We organise regular beach cleans and canoe trips to islands in Strangford Lough where we collect marine litter that may damage wildlife and dispose of it in the correct way. Utilising the practices of Leave No Trace, we can create learning in the outdoors to educate and inspire whilst protecting the environment for future generations.

If you are wanting to do your bit for the environment then give us a call and we can create something bespoke to your requirements in an area that is important to you.

For multiple outdoor activities, we can tailor a programme to your needs. simply call us on 07909721898 or email us

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 purification 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 or 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 / Christine / 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 / Christine / Andy	Completed
9	Goals Relating to Community	Family fun days Voucher donations Charity event discounts Calendar of events Organise 5 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.