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 borne in 2008.  Owner Sean Thornton has a passion for water sports and people.  This combined along with an opportunity to showcase the land 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 practise and encourage our customers to do the same.  We promote all aspects of sound environmental practise through our informal education events such as our Biodiversity Tours.  For 2021 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 impact on sustainability of all office and outdoor activities
• To ensure all staff are fully aware of our Sustainability Policy 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 annually
• Promote ‘Leave No Trace’ at all times

In order to put these principles into practise we will:

• Avoid physically travelling to meetings etc. where alternatives are available and practical such as Zoom meetings or teleconferencing.   These options are also time efficient as well as zero carbon footprint
• Minimise use of paper and other office consumables and 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 entertain good housekeeping
• Keep energy use low.  For example we purchase electricity from a supplier committed to renewable energy and also 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 voluntary biodiversity events with the local community, local schools and environmental organisations
• Make donations to offset carbon emissions from our activities
• Provide a safe and healthful workplace and working environment

Priority Project:   Harvest Rainwater

Action Steps to Address this Project

Step 1:  Approach an established similar project and gain information of same

• Timeframe:  April 2021

Step 2:  Seek funding for the project

• Timeframe: April 2021

Step 3: Purchase necessary equipment and install

• Timeframe: April 2021

Further Project:   Water Drinking Fountain

Action Steps to Address this Project

Step 1:  Establish source of clean drinking water safe for human consumption

• Timeframe:  April 2021

Step 2:  Procure a sound drinking fountain

• Timeframe: April 2021

Step 3: Install water drinking fountain

• Timeframe: April 2021

Further Project:   Installing a Geopark Walk to highlight the Geodiversity of the area

Action Steps to Address this Project

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

• Timeframe:  April 2021

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

• Timeframe: April 2021

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:  April 2021

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

• Timeframe: April 2021

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: April 2021

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

Initiatives

Office Stationery

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

Promotional Material

• Made from recycled paper and locally sourced
• Limited number of brochures/posters
• Advertising will be achieved mainly via social media and emailing offers/promotions