Eagle Wing Tours

Eagle Wing will be carbon neutral in 2008

At a time in our global history where corporations are being approached to help solve environmental problems, Eagle Wing Tours provides an important example of a company that has remained true to its environmental commitments and achieved success in a competitive and complex marketplace.

Because of the threat of global warming from increased CO2 concentrations in the air, we are guided by the precautionary principle. Therefore, we estimate the CO2 emissions from our key business activities and act to reduce or offset them. In 2008 we pledged to offset 100% of our corporate emissions.

We are a company that helps combat the problem:

We measure our green house gas emissions every year resulting from our corporate business practices and offset 100% of our corporate environmental carbon footprint.

What is a Carbon Footprint?:

A Carbon Footprint is a measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide.

• A Carbon Footprint is made up of the sum of two parts, the direct / primary footprint and the indirect / secondary footprint.
• The primary footprint is a measure of our direct emissions of CO2 from the burning of fossil fuels including domestic energy consumption and transportation (e.g. car and plane).
• The secondary footprint is a measure of the indirect CO2 emissions from the whole life-cycle of products we use - those associated with their manufacture and eventual breakdown.

• The total amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly and indirectly support human activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). A carbon calculator considers the major activities that add greenhouse gases to the atmosphere: driving, flying, and using electricity and natural gas.
  visit this website if you would like to calculate your footprint click here.

  Eagle Wing Tours REDUCES our carbon footprint by:

  • reducing emissions with new Suzuki 4 stroke engine technology (no oil burn) more fuel efficient, cleaner, quieter
  • use environmentally sound Volvo Penta D9 diesel engines (the only diesels endorsed by the European Union),more fuel efficient, cleaner, quieter
  • reduce the amount of underwater noise with whisper quiet Arneson Twin Disc surface propulsion technology.(rain falling on the water makes more noise.)
  • NEW advanced "scarab" hull design leaves a much smaller wake (wave)so is safer,smoother,more efficient, and is more quiet

  Eagle Wing Tours ERASES our carbon footprint by:

  • planting one tree for every tour that leaves the dock, this helps to off-set 100% of our companies Co2 emissions
  • we participate in salmon enhancement projects, this helps sustain food for Killer Whales and other marine animals
  • we participate in stream rehabilitation programs,this helps foster future generations of wild Pacific Salmon
  • we educate and infect our guests with passion & knowledge about the environment, this knowledge is then taken and passed all over the world.
  • help sponsor local marine research programs, this increases our knowledge and awareness about current environmental issues
  • we adopt killer whales, this supports non-profit efforts to educate private boaters
  • proud members of the WWOANW (whale watch operators association northwest) an ethical group who work with research and government.
    

Stream Rehabilitation:

    We are proud supporters of the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation. British Columbia's streams, lakes, and wetlands are valuable natural resources. Stream corridors are particularly important. They support more species of plants and animals than any other habitats and provide important refuges and migration routes for birds and wildlife. Streams are also essential for maintaining our renowned salmon and trout runs.  Streams respond rapidly to the pressures of residential and industrial activity in surrounding drainage areas or watersheds. Streams are good indicators of watershed health. Since we all live within a watershed, be it coastal rain forest or interior dry land, we all share the responsibility of maintaining the quality of the natural resources within them. Pressures from development will continue to increase as our population expands in many areas of the province. Habitat will continue to be lost when we do not appreciate fully the value of our aquatic resources. Plant and animal populations which depend on undisturbed land will be threatened.

Salmon Enhancement:

    We are proud supporters of the Jack Brooks hatchery. It raises and releases many thousands of natural salmon into local spawning streams from where they migrate into the Strait of Juan de Fuca and then to the open Pacific Ocean. They return to spawn in local waters, thus ensuring the survival of a most precious asset - the wild Pacific Salmon!

Tree Planting:

    Planting trees helps increase the amount of oxygen and decrease the amount of Carbon Dioxide CO2 on our planet. We see a future in which people all over the world appreciate and understand the economic and environmental value of trees and, as a result, can get personally involved in the planting and care of trees in communities across the world.

Trees do their part:

• acting as "the lungs of the earth" they purify the air we breath
• conserve energy by reducing heating and cooling costs in residential areas.
• help reduce the effects of global warming by "filtering" carbon dioxide emissions
• improve the aesthetics of urban areas, vacant lands and recreational sites
• protect farms and watersheds against wind damage and soil erosion
• create and enhance wildlife habitats; and

In order to do our part, Eagle Wing Tours has the following objectives:

• we plant 1 tree for every tour that departs from our dock
• we will educate tourists about the benefits of planting and caring for trees
• we will set the example and encourage corporations, communities and individuals to create their own unique 'green' programs.

You can help!

• IN Canada: contact Tree Canada
• IN U.K.: contact Plant a tree today
• IN U.S.A.: contact e Tree
• IN Australia: contact Greenfleet