Green Tourism
Business Scheme
Shepreth Wildlife Park, UK
Shepreth Animal Sanctuary
1979
Shepreth Wildlife Park began as a refuge & release
centre for injured and unwanted British wildlife
Shepreth Animal Sanctuary
Shepreth Wildlife Park
2001
Foxes would have to fend for themselves now in Cambridge …
Shepreth Wildlife Park
10 Year Development Plan
2001 - 2011
From Rescue Centre to Wildlife Park
2011 - 2021
From Wildlife Park to conservation focused attraction
Shepreth Wildlife Park
Phase 1
Setting ‘green’ targets
Seeking accreditation
GTBS
GT Business Scheme
National sustainable tourism certification scheme
Only national scheme to be independently validated by the
International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT)
On behalf of VisitEngland, VisitWales & the N. Ireland
Tourist Board, endorsed by VisitScotland & Failte Ireland
Businesses joining Green Tourism are assessed by a
qualified grading advisor against a rigorous set of criteria
GT Business Scheme
Good practice in all areas.
Improved efficiency, review of all activities undertaken or
influenced by the business & full legal compliance
Excellent practice in all areas.
Significant achievements to improve efficiency, purchase responsibly,
involve customers, contribute to local economy, culture and community.
Outstanding and exemplary best practice in all areas.
Thorough and focused approach to sustainability and providing a
quality and enhanced experience for all stakeholders.
GT Business Members
Scotland
812
South West
402
South East
158
North West
171
North East
84
West Midlands
62
East England
East Midlands
113
58
Yorkshire
101
London
145
Wales
112
Channel Islands
18
Northern Ireland
17
Ireland
23
Isle of Man
3
Canada
28
Total
2307
GT Business Members
GTBS Structure
Pre-Inspection Audit
Criteria requirements
Current awarding level
Suggested improvement areas
Shepreth 2011
• 70K Visitors
• 30 staff
Recycling & fruit donations
Conservation fundraising
GTBS current recommendation: SILVER
Inspection 12 months later …
Awarding Criteria
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Compulsory compliance with legislation
Management & Marketing
Social Involvement & Communication
Energy
Water
Purchasing
Waste
Transport
Natural & Cultural Heritage
Innovation
1. Legislation
• CCF - Cambridge Carbon Footprint
• SPEP - Sustainable Parish Energy Partnership
• CCI - Cambridge Carbon Initiative
• Green team meetings - Development
• Native Species Surveys (NSS)
• Environmental Policies
• Staff awareness
2. Green Marketing
NO
Magazines, newspaper, leaflet drops etc
YES
Social media (Hootsuite), weblinks, radio,
joint promotions i.e. GDO (Great Days Out Cambridge)
3. Stay Local
• Recycle all waste locally (within 8 miles)
• Fruit & vegetable press campaign
• Resident passes (walking distance)
• Local suppliers
• Community Programme
• Dream Night at the Zoo
4. Sustainable Energy
• Solar Panels - all main buildings
• Reed bed sewage system for new Education Centre
5. Water Use
• Drip systems
• Water butts
• Staff Awareness
• Greywater recycling system
6. Purchasing
• Environmental Policy … including Palm Oil use
• Suppliers Policies
• Palm Oil Interpretation (Tiger Lodge)
• Customer Experience survey Q
• Keeper / Tiger Talks ‘spreading awareness’
• ‘Buy local’ policy
• ‘Caring Consumer’ message (Gift Shop)
7. Waste
• Everything is recycled (except polystyrene)
• Bulk ordering to reduce packaging
• Re-cycle locally (within 8 miles)
• Change in husbandry procedures
i.e. Hedgehog Hospital use of towels
8. Sustainable Transport
• Cycle Parking & discount
• Rail Users Group (RUG)
• Station Wildlife Garden
• First Capital Connect train partnership &
marketing campaign
Cambridge to London Kings Cross line (7m users)
Poster boards, tannoy announcements, on-line &
social media
Discounted entry
9. Conservation
• Cambridge Conservation Forum (CCF)
• Shepreth Wildlife Conservation Charity (SWCC)
• Shepreth Hedgehog Hospital
• Hedgehog Scientific Advisory Board (HSAB)
• Fundraising / Awareness events (£60k raised)
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
10. Innovation
• New Education Eco Barn
• Feature Garden
• HSAB
GTBS Audit
Full day inspection
Site inspection based on criteria
‘Green File’ inspection
2012 Awards
Shepreth WP scored 89% being awarded GOLD
… and was shortlisted for the Green Tourism
Business Scheme Goldstar Awards 2012
The shortlist is compiled from the highest scoring Gold graded businesses
representing the greenest 2% of the total 2300 GTBS members
Comments from the assessor:
‘Shepreth have implemented a number of measures. Heavily involved in
conservation, they have vetted suppliers on their ethical principle including
sourcing of palm oil & set up their own conversation charity with successful
fundraising. Other highlights from the audit include low E lighting, coach switch
off policy, rail travel incentive, dedicated educational building, good insulation,
excellent waste strategy, using waste food and comprehensive energy
awareness. A strong entry to the scheme, worth a case study.’
Green Tourism Week
Finalist: GoldStar Awards 2012
Winner: People’s Choice Awards 2012
BIAZA Green Tourism
Green Tourism Members in BIAZA
GOLD
Birdworld, Chester Zoo, Shepreth Wildlife Park, WWT Arundel, WWT
London Wetland Centre, WWT Martin Mere, WWT Washington
SILVER
National Marine Aquarium, Oceanarium
BRONZE
Blair Drummond Safari & Adventure Park, Deep Sea World
AWAITING GRADING
The Scottish Deer Centre
BIAZA & GTBS
Partnership
•
ZSL London – Sponsoring Tiger Territory
•
Durrell Zoo Jersey – Sponsoring Orang Utans,
•
Chester Zoo – Sponsoring Parrot with Tony Juniper
•
Newquay Zoo – Sponsoring Trinidad stream frog (Amphibian Ark)
•
Amphibian Ark – Financial Support for the programme via meeting
•
British Medical Association – Green meeting package including
donation to ZSL
Q Hotels & Jurys Inns, Hilton Aberdeen, Holiday Inn Edinburgh,
Principle Hayley Group all sponsor animals through various charities
as a condition of membership …
but they could do more with Zoos
Green Tourism Week
DIARY DATES …
GREEN TOURISM CONFERENCE
BRISTOL SCIENCE CENTRE
8TH NOVEMBER 2013
www.maximillionevents.co.uk/gtbs2013/index
.asp
Kilimanjaro: Climbing
for Conservation
• End of January 2014
• Approx. €1,250 (plus flight)
• 7 day trekking
• Fundraising for conservation & raising
awareness for the Pole-to-Pole 2014 campaign
•E: rebecca@sheprethwildlifepark.co.uk
“Be the change you want to see in the world”
Mahatma Ghandi
+ 44 1738 632162
jon@green-business.co.uk
The_GTBS
Green Tourism