Environmental Policy and Sustainability Statement

The environment is at the heart of everything that we do.  Without the fantastic natural resources of the Scottish Highlands we would not be in business.

 

 

Contamination of air, water and soil

 

During each activity session we avoid leaving litter and pollution at all costs and actively encourage our clients to respect the environment which they are visiting.  Beyond this, we commit to taking positive action to leave every venue in a better condition than we find it.

 

 

Consumption of natural resources

 

Boots N Paddles are keen to reduce the amount of resources that we and our clients consume, whilst maintaining the high levels of safety and comfort that our guests expect.

 

We do not provide ‘motorised adventure’ and will only use vehicles as a means of transporting our staff, equipment and guests to the best venues throughout the Highlands.

 

 

Impact on landscape and culture

 

Environmental impact is a key criteria for consideration during every site-specific risk assessment that we carry out.  Venues that we use regularly will be monitored to ensure that man-induced erosion is not occurring over time.

 

Large scale charity events can be a vital way of raising money for good causes.  We will only support such events that are very carefully managed and make use of well built paths and tracks that can cope with high numbers of people over a short period of time.

 

The history and culture of the Highlands is very important to locals and visitors alike.  Boots N Paddles will seek to actively promote our cultural heritage and will not participate in activities which threaten to erode that rich heritage.

 

 

Economic sustainability

 

Boots N Paddles aim to make profits, and we make no apologies for this.  By operating a private enterprise in a responsible way we bring a lot of benefit to the economy of rural areas and help to ensure that these communities remain viable.  Without profits there are no jobs, no payments to suppliers and less personal development opportunities for local people and visitors.

 

 

It is not just our personal ethics which encourage us to minimise our impact on the environment.  It makes sound business sense too.

 

Leave No Trace

Boots N Paddles are now an International Partner of the:

Leave No Trace Centre for Outdoor Ethics.

 All our trips seek to minimize our negative impacts on the environment we travel in, both to the wildlife and other users who are living in or out enjoying our fantastic landscape around the Highlands. 

We can give advice and awareness training for your own use of the outdoors ranging from specific advice for open canoe expeditions to generic awareness and appreciation of how to reduce your impacts while out having fun in the outdoors. 

 Whether you are part of a Duke of Edinburgh Bronze group on your first trip, or a Mountain Leader with a keen interest in helping your groups to be more mountain friendly, we can run a course for you.

Further information about the Leave No Trace organisation and programs can be found at www.lnt.org

 

Contact us for details about Awareness workshops and Trainer courses anytime!