When Outer Shores Expeditions takes clients out on its 21-metre classic wooden schooner, Passing Cloud, to iconic places like the Great Bear Rainforest, or Haida Gwaii, a commitment to the environment is second only to a focus on safety to this carbon neutral niche adventure travel company.
Outer Shores’ commitment to the environment, in general, and to preserving the pristine beauty of Canada’s wild Pacific Coast in specific, has earned them a 2019 Ecostar Award. The company is among 20 winners of the prestigious award, which is administered by Synergy Sustainability Institute to recognize outstanding environmental achievements and leadership on Vancouver Island.
Now in its 5th year, Ecostar’s list of winners includes businesses, nonprofits, academic institutions, government and individuals. Please see below for the full list of winners.
Award Category |
Winners |
Sponsor |
| Climate Action | Harbour Air Seaplanes | Ocean Outfitters |
| Community Leadership | The Narwhal | Camosun College |
| Ecological Stewardship (Business) | Eagle Wing Tours | Whole Foods Market |
| Ecological Stewardship (Non-Profit) |
Marine Education and Research Society | Victoria Airport Authority |
| Ecopreneur of the Year | Tayler Krawczyk Hatchet & Seed – Edible Landscapes |
Peter B. Gustavson School of Business |
| Educational Leadership (Individual) | Jackie Hildering Marine Education and Research Society |
Patagonia |
| Educational Leadership (Organization) | The Compost Education Centre | Vancity Credit Union |
| Experiential Tourism | Tesla Tours | Destination Greater Victoria |
| Greenest Lodging | Huntingdon Manor Hotel & Pendray Inn and Tea House | Destination Greater Victoria |
| Greenest Office | Focal Engineering | Monk Office |
| Greenest Restaurant | Locals Restaurant | Food Eco District |
| Greenest Retailer | West Coast Refill | Downtown Victoria Business Association |
| Inspirational New Venture | Zero Waste Emporium | City of Victoria |
| Leadership in Design and Construction | Cascadia Architects | Vancity Credit Union |
| Local Food | TOPSOIL – Innovative Urban Agriculture INC. | Big Wheel Community Foundation |
| Manufacturing Excellence | Eluma Beauty Inc. | City of Victoria |
| Maritime Excellence | Outer Shores Expeditions | Greater Victoria Harbour Authority |
| Social Impact | Social Root Consulting | Vancity Credit Union |
| Technology Excellence | Animikii Inc. | Used.ca |
| Waste to Resource | ANIÁN Clothing | Capital Regional District |
| Water Stewardship | Victoria Distillers | Capital Regional District |
This article is from the December/January 2020 issue of Douglas.
