Our Conservation Commitment
Our Conservation Commitment
At Real Journeys we believe conservation is the cornerstone of New Zealand’s tourism industry. We are keenly aware of the importance of protecting the natural environment and to help achieve this, we work closely with both the Department of Conservation (DOC) and local community.
Real Journeys – best environmental practice:
- The company regularly undertakes internal environmental audits and benchmarking reviews to identify areas in which we can improve and to assess our progress.
- We have introduced a data logging-system to monitor our progress in reducing carbon emissions from our vessels, coaches and aircraft.
- Where possible we minimise all forms of waste and recycle (eg. We use biodegradable plastic picnic boxes, re-usable washable obento boxes and unbleached recyclable napkins at Milford Sound. Real Journeys was one of the main initiators involved in the Milford Recycling Scheme introduced by the Milford Sound Development Authority.
- The technical innovations on our purpose-designed vessels and coaches minimise emissions, wake and noise pollution while boosting fuel efficiency and passenger satisfaction.
- Conservation initiatives are an integral part of our overall strategic plan and day-to-day operations. Funding for these activities is taken into account when establishing budgets. Industry recognition of these efforts includes the NZ Tourism Industry Association’s Conservation in Action Award and Qualmark Enviro-Silver status.
Individual Projects:
- Whio/blue duck
In partnership with the Department of Conservation, Real Journeys is contributing $10,000 towards translocations of young whio/blue duck to boost population numbers amongst areas where there is stoat control. Blue duck/whio have been steadily declining in Fiordland over the last 30 years. Introduced stoats are a major cause in this decline as they prey on whio.
- Little Blue Penguin and Sooty Shearwater Habitat Restoration Support
In the 2009/2010 summer, $5 from each booking onto the Stewart Island Guided Walks has been donated to the Stewart Island/ Rakiura Community Environment Trust. The trust is carrying out extensive rat and possum trapping work to help protect the island’s native birdlife including the Titi/Sooty Shearwater population.
Guided walkers also have the chance to experience the conservation work being carried out by the Trust first hand by helping check traps for rats and possums during the two-hour walk. Stewart Island Experience has also funded one of the pest control lines in the Ackers Point monitoring area and a second “anti re-infection line” around the outside of the Dancing Star Foundation’s predator fence at Lee Bay.
- Harlequin Gecko
Real Journeys has contributed $40,000 over the past 5 years to assist the Department of Conservation in studying the rare Stewart Island Harlequin Gecko. A further $4000 two year sponsorship agreement has just been confirmed.
Ongoing contributions – Leslie Hutchins Conservation Foundation:
- Every year, passengers contribute more than $50,000 to the Leslie Hutchins Conservation Foundation via a $1 passenger levy on our Doubtful Sound operations.
- Projects include dolphin research, protection programmes for endangered birds, tracks and interpretation signage, outdoor education camps and wilding pine eradication.
Encourage passengers and staff to get involved:
- By maintaining best practice and having highly qualified nature guides, we aim to provide an important educational role increasing visitor awareness of environmental issues.
- During winter months we run 5-7 day Discovery Cruises. During these cruises on board auctions have raised funds for relevant conservation projects such as the transfer of Little Spotted Kiwi to a predator-free island home in Fiordland in 2008. It was the first time the species had been seen in Fiordland for 100 years. Further transfers have since been funded through the Leslie Hutchins Conservation Foundation (see above).
Fiordland Coastal Clean-Up
When required, we provide the Milford Wanderer as a floating base for accommodation, meals and logistical support.
Other forms of contribution
- In Milford Sound, employees check and maintain lines of stoat and rat traps and monitor local bird populations.
- Pateke/Brown Teal Transfer: Aiding the Department of Conservation (DoC) with transfer of endangered Pateke/Brown Teal from Queenstown to Milford by chartered plane free of charge. In 2009, 20 birds were transferred and in March 2010, 40 birds were transferred. We assist the Department of Conservation with bird transfers (for example to Anchor and Ulva Islands).
- Skippers monitor and report wildlife sightings to the Department of Conservation. For example sightings of marine mammals.
- We provide logistical support for environmental researchers (transport etc) and subsidised travel for children on educational trips to all our excursions and to the school hostel at Deep Cove.
- We assist the Department of Conservation’s summer nature programmes and support New Zealand Conservation Week by providing cruises and guiding support.
- Real Journeys is donating $5000 per year for three years to the Wakatipu Trails Trust to assist with the development of cycling and walking trails in the region.
.jpg)
