Environmental Policies

The Columbia Wetlands Outpost team are dedicated to the conservation of our environment. We work hard to ensure that the Columbia Wetlands and surrounding areas thrive for generations by aligning our practices with progressive environmental policies.

We offer a unique and authentic experience that is a "must do" eco tour for visitors to the Columbia River Valley. Our dynamic and thought-provoking interpretive programs have been created with the assistance of local historians and professionals that share our passion and love for the area. We hope and expect that you will help us to preserve the magic of this place by minimizing human impact through observing the following simple rules.

We have adopted the British Columbia Wilderness Tourism Association Code of Conduct in all that we do:

Promoting Wilderness Appreciation and Enjoyment
We provide experiences that foster enjoyment, appreciation, and sensitive use of wilderness.
Conserving Natural and Cultural Resources
Contribute to the ongoing integrity of valued natural resources and cultural places.
Ensuring Environmentally Sustainable Practices
Use the best available practices for sustainable tourism, development and operation.
Building Relationships with Local Communities, Businesses and Governments
Provide ongoing socio-economic benefit for local, regional and host communities.
Respecting Cultural Values
Understand local traditions and practices and present authentic cultural values.
Conducting Responsible Marketing
Provide accurate information that leads to realistic expectations.
Practising Sustainable Wilderness Tourism
Knowledgeably advocate for wilderness tourism that is sustainable; environmentally, socially and economically.
Providing Quality Guest Experiences
Meet or exceed customer expectations

Columbia Wetlands Outpost Wildlife Viewing Code of Ethics

We ask all of our guests to act responsibly and to use the following guidelines for Wildlife Viewing and Low Impact Kayak and Canoe Touring Guidelines.

Our goal is to watch animals behaving in natural ways in their natural habitats. We respect the needs of wild animals for space, natural vegetation, and ecological community. We also recognize our responsibility to know the consequences of wildlife viewing. Columbia Wetlands Outpost has therefore adopted a Wildlife Viewing Code of Ethics based on B.C. Parks Wildlife Guidelines.

As wildlife viewers, we agree:

To view or photograph from a distance that respects the needs of wildlife, using proper equipment such as binoculars, spotting scopes, and telephoto lenses.
To respect the needs of each species and to recognize their alarm signals and behaviours.
To avoid noises or actions that might stress wildlife or cause animals to waste energy in unnecessary flight.
To be patient, remembering that we are guests in wildlife habitat.
To avoid approaching animals that are breeding, nesting, brooding or raising young, because parents and young are especially vulnerable at these times. We will learn the places and times to avoid these situations. We will not approach young or baby animals.
To avoid feeding wildlife, recognizing that feeding usually leads to problems such as unnatural food dependency, habituation to humans, disease or even death.
To keep pets on a leash around any wildlife, and avoid bringing pets into sensitive wildlife habitat.
To stay on trails and within designated areas. Trails have been planned to go through the most interesting and beautiful parts of the property without damaging sensitive and unique plant and wildlife habitats.
To respect the rules and regulations of protected and other off-limit areas. Closed areas and other management features are designed for safety and welfare of visitors, natural vegetation and wildlife.
To be respectful of other wildlife watchers and property owners.
To promote ethical wildlife viewing by sharing our knowledge with others.

Columbia Wetlands Outpost Guide to Low Impact Kayak and Canoe Touring

At Columbia Wetlands Outpost, we recognize our responsibility to help protect the delicate balance of the Columbia Wetlands ecosystem while allowing visitors to explore and enjoy scenic and wild spaces.

We have therefore adopted a Leave No Trace philosophy for all our wetland activities:

Leave no trace: Please use a restroom before venturing out on the water. Disposing of human waste can be a problem in water wilderness areas because what is deposited on the shore generally ends up draining into the water. Shorelines of freshwater bodies should never be used as a toilet - carry out all solid human waste.
Keep it clean: Garbage can injure or kill aquatic animals. Pack out what you have packed in, and if you see someone else’s garbage, pick it up. Never bury your garbage along the shore, and never pour liquids or throw garbage in the water.
Respect aquatic life: Lots of animals live in, on, or near the water. Treat them with respect by following the Columbia Wetland Outpost Wildlife Viewing Code of Ethics.
Explore beaches carefully: There are limited landing sites through the wetlands. If you must land your boat, pick a non-vegetated spot that will have the least impact on wetland plants. Areas with gravel or small rocks are best because they limit impact and tend to have fewer insects. Watch where you step.
Leave what you find: Do not remove anything from the beach. Rocks, sand and gravel provide essential habitat for beach dwellers, and small shoreline plants provide critical habitat for small fish and other aquatic life.
Be aware: Rivers and lakes have been used for centuries by First Nations people and explorers. If you see a good landing site, it has probably been used many times before! Treat these places as culturally or archaeologically sensitive sites and do not damage or remove anything.